The Alabama women’s basketball team’s comeback fell short on Sunday afternoon at Coleman Coliseum against the No. 16 Missouri Tigers to open SEC play.
Trailing by 14 points with just 3:43 left in the game, Alabama scored 11 straight points to cut the lead down to three with 1:20 left in the game, but ultimately the game ended with Missouri winning 62-56.
Hannah Cooks led the Alabama comeback with eight of the 11 Alabama points in the two minute span, including hitting two big threes.
“I think we waited a little bit long to comeback,” said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry.
Alabama suffered a rough shooting night, hitting on just 28.6 percent of its baskets and on 19 percent of its threes.
Despite the rough shooting night, Alabama won three out of the four quarters, but a second quarter that saw the Crimson Tide outscored by the Tigers 21-8.
“We had a second quarter that really hurt us,” Curry said. “I thought our shot selection wasn’t working, and you just have to make open looks. Credit Missouri.”
Shaquera Wade and Cook led Alabama with 11 points each. Wade also had seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block for the Crimson Tide.
Despite the shooting struggles, Wade was happy with how she and her teammates gave it their all.
“I think the biggest thing is to play with energy and effort regardless of if the offense is going your way or not,” Wade said. “Coach talked to us about it. Every day, every game just go out there and play with energy and effort.”
Jordan Chavis scored a game-high and tied a career-high with 17 points, including eight in the fourth quarter. Sophie Cunningham was the Missouri leading scorer with 13 points before going down with a knee injury in the fourth quarter.
“Once we get back to Columbia and have our doctors look at her, we’ll have a much better idea,” said Missouri head coach Robin Pingeton. “Sophie’s a huge part of what we do.”
Curry said she hated seeing a player the caliber of Cunningham go down.
“She’s one of the greatest competitors I’ve ever watched,” Curry said. “My thoughts and prayers, and I hope she’s O.K. and back soon.
The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Crimson Tide, dropping its record to 10-4 on the season and 0-1 in SEC play.
Alabama returns to the court on Jan. 4 for a match against the Florida Gators in Gainesville, Fla. for a 6 p.m. tipoff.
