For the first time since the 2014-15 season, Alabama women’s basketball has missed the postseason, failing to qualify for the NIT (National Invitation Tournament) on Monday night.
After finishing with back-to-back 20-win seasons, the Crimson Tide went just 14-17, finishing under .500 for the first time since 2015-16. The 5-11 SEC record tied the 2016-17 mark.
It went 1-1 in the SEC Tournament, ending on a one-point loss to Auburn in the second round.
Alabama struggled down the stretch, losing six of its last eight games of the conference season, including a 39-point loss at Auburn and a 35-point loss to Missouri to finish the regular season.
The Crimson Tide started the season 8-5, which included a win against Virginia in the Florida Sunshine Classic.
In her first year at Alabama, junior Cierra Johnson was the team’s best player, as she led the team in scoring (14.7 points a game) and assists (97), while finishing third on the team in rebounds with 162, which is the most among guards.
Alabama’s biggest problem all year was turnovers. It averaged 17.9 turnovers a game and 554 for the season. It forced 15 a game.
It also lost one of its best players before conference play started, as Jordan Lewis broke her wrist while at the Florida Sunshine Classic. The junior, who has started all three years for Alabama, played in just eight games. She averaged 13.5 points and totaled 25 assists in those eight games. She also brought in 10 steals.
