Alabama Falls to Florida in SEC Tournament Opener on Thursday
3/6/2025 10:39:00 PM | Women’s Basketball
Sarah Ashlee Barker led the Crimson Tide with 24 points in the loss
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The No. 6 seed Alabama Crimson Tide fell in the second round of the 2025 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament to 11th-seeded Florida, 63-61, on Thursday night inside Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Sarah Ashlee Barker led the Crimson Tide (23-8) with 24 points to go along with eight rebounds and a pair of steals. Aaliyah Nye added 13 points while Zaay Green also reached double figures with 11. Karly Weathers collected a double-double with 10 rebounds and 10 assists to go along with six points.
Florida (16-16) was led by Liv McGill’s game high 29 points to go with four assists.
Head Coach Kristy Curry Comments
“I think on a night like tonight, instead of coming in and talking about all the things that we didn’t do, you just have to credit your opponent. I thought Florida played great, played with a lot of energy, was more aggressive and had more of an attack mentality than we did. I think you just have to credit your opponent on a night like tonight.”
Game Notes
Sarah Ashlee Barker posted her 10th 20-point game of the season
The Tide won the battle of the boards, outrebounding the Gators 46-41
Karly Weathers set a career high with 10 assists, alongside 10 rebounds en route to her first double-double of the season
The Gators held the lead for 36:37 compared to the Crimson Tide leading for just 1:20
Alabama shot 33 percent from the floor (21-of-62), 28 percent from deep (8-of-28) and 73 percent from the line (11-of-15)
In comparison, Florida shot 34 percent from the field (22-of-63), 28 percent from three-point range (4-of-15) and 60 percent from the charity stripe (15-of-25)
How it Happened
Alabama and Florida tied twice during the first quarter with the Gators leading majority of the quarter until back-to-back three-pointers from Karly Weathers and Aaliyah Nye put the Crimson Tide ahead 14-13 after the first 10 minutes
Florida held Alabama to just three points after going on a 14-3 run over six minutes of the second half to take its largest lead of the game at 28-17
The Tide finished the quarter with a 7-2 run to enter the locker room only down by four, 30-26
UA opened the third quarter on a 7-3 run across the opening 1:33 to come within one, 36-35, but UF continued to hold the lead as both teams finished the quarter with 17 points (47-43)
The Crimson Tide outscored the Gators in the fourth quarter, 18-16, but came up short in the final seconds, giving Florida the two-point win (63-61)
