Copeland’s double-double lifts No. 7 Alabama to victory

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Alabama’s starting five combined for 79 points to help the Crimson Tide roll on to the quarterfinals of the 2021 Southeastern Conference Tournament with an 82-74 victory over Missouri. Alabama scored 25 in the fourth quarter to fend off the Tigers and pick up its 16th win of the season.

Ariyah Copeland led the Tide’s quintet in double figures with 22 points as well as a team-best 10 rebounds. Megan Abrams chipped in a season-high 19 points, nine of which were scored in the final quarter, to go along with five assists. Jordan Lewis had 16 points and four assists, while Hannah Barber and Jasmine Walker added 11 apiece. Barber also finished with a team-high seven assists.

For the game, Alabama shot 51.0 percent from the floor and was 40.0 percent from three-point range. The Tide also got to the line over four times more than Missouri, knocking down 24 of its 30 attempts.

How It Happened

• Alabama made its first eight shots from the field to take an early lead.
• The Tide led by as many as 13 in the first and ended the frame up 10, 28-18.
• Alabama pushed its buffer back out to 13, but seven unanswered by Missouri cut the Tide lead to six midway through the second, 36-30.
• The two teams traded baskets for the remainder of the quarter with Alabama leading Missouri, 40-34, at the half.
• A six-minute scoring drought from the floor for the Tide allowed for the Tigers to take their first lead of the game at the 2:52 mark in the third.
• Alabama and Missouri were locked at 57 heading into the final 10:00 of play.
• The game would see three more ties, the final time coming with 5:14 remaining.
• From there, the Tide ended the game on an 11-3 run.

News and Notes

• Alabama had five players score in double figures for the first time this season.
• The Tide got to the line 30 times, marking the third time this season Alabama has had 30 or more free throws in a game. It was the first versus an SEC opponent with the other two coming against Houston (38) and at Mercer (32).
• Copeland’s double-double was her 10th of the season and 18th of her career.
• She also had 20-plus points for the sixth time in 2020-21.
• Abrams had the best outing of her career from the free throw line, hitting eight of her nine attempts.
• Barber has now had sever or more assists in four games this season.

Next Up

• Alabama faces the No. 2 seed South Carolina in Friday’s quarterfinals of the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament.
• Tip is set for 5 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.