Auburn squandered a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, allowing Alabama to stage a dramatic comeback and secure a 67-61 victory on Sunday afternoon at Coleman Coliseum.
The Tigers committed eight turnovers in the final period and managed to convert just 3 of 12 shot attempts as the Crimson Tide outscored Auburn 25-9 in the decisive frame, splitting the season series between the two rivals.
Auburn head coach Johnnie Harris expressed a mixture of pride and frustration in her team's performance, acknowledging their effort while lamenting the costly mistakes that ultimately led to defeat.
"We played hard, and that got us in the game and kept us in the game," Harris said. "But undisciplined mistakes cost us. We’ve got to be better. I need to be better, and they need to be better."
Honesty Scott-Grayson continued her impressive scoring streak, leading Auburn for the 11th consecutive game with 15 points and five rebounds. JaMya Mingo-Young, facing her former team, added 14 points and a game-high six assists, while Taylen Collins contributed seven rebounds for the Tigers.
Despite shooting 45.3 percent from the field, their second-best mark in SEC play, Auburn's struggles against Alabama's full-court pressure proved costly. The Crimson Tide capitalized on turnovers, particularly in the crucial final quarter.
Auburn held a comfortable 52-42 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but Alabama steadily chipped away at the deficit, seizing control with timely plays. Sarah Ashlee Barker led the charge for the Crimson Tide with 26 points, including 10 crucial points in the fourth quarter, while Aaliyah Nye's sharpshooting from beyond the arc added to Auburn's woes.
Looking ahead, Auburn faces a challenging road matchup against No. 13/11 LSU in Baton Rouge on Thursday night. Determined to bounce back from their defeat to Alabama, the Tigers aim to regroup and refocus as they strive for success in the competitive landscape of college basketball.
As Auburn prepares for their next contest, they understand the importance of learning from their mistakes and executing with precision, recognizing that every possession counts in their pursuit of victory.
