Alabama holds off Auburn for SEC win

A last-second block from Alabama’s Khadijah Carter helped secure the 51-50 victory for the Alabama women’s basketball team against in-state rival Auburn Thursday night at Foster Auditorium.
“I’m really, really proud for our kids to find a way to win,” said Alabama head coach Kristy Curry. “It was ugly down the stretch, but we were fortunate to get enough stops and a quick one there at the end.”
Stifling defense and aggressive play helped Alabama (12-9 overall, 1-5 in SEC play) claim the victory, especially late in the game as the University of Alabama forced four Auburn turnovers in the final 2:41.
The Tigers (9-10, 0-6 SEC) turned the ball over a season-high 29 times but had a chance to win in the final seconds. Alabama (12-9, 1-5) missed a pair of free throws, and the Tigers called timeout with 12.5 seconds left trailing by one. However, they couldn’t get a decent look, and Brandy Montgomery’s shot at the buzzer was blocked by Carter.
Late in the first half, three players were ejected after a fight broke.
With 1:14 left and Alabama leading 28-15, Auburn’s Hasina Muhammad and the Crimson Tide’s Breanna Hayden got tangled up after a free throw. Video replay showed Hayden throwing a punch that connected with Muhammad’s face.
An official got knocked to the floor as she tried to separate the two. Muhammad threw a punch after chasing Hayden toward the Alabama bench.
Both players were ejected. Meoshonti Knight of Alabama, a former Central Catholic High School standout, also was ejected for leaving the bench.
“I have no idea what completely happened, but BreBre (Hayden) apologized to her team immediately after that and knew that she had made a mistake,” Curry said. “So again, I’ll have to go back and evaluate.”
Auburn coach Terri Williams-Flournoy wasn’t happy with what happened.
“You’re always disappointed in situations like that,” she said. “You never want to see either player from either side ejected from the game. This is the game that they love, the game that they practice to play, and so you never want that to happen.”
The two teams traded baskets in the opening minutes, but 13 unanswered points during a near six-minute span gave Alabama a 17-6 advantage with 9:30 to play in the half. The Tide led by as many as 15 in the period; however, the Tigers cut their deficit to six at halftime after scoring nine unanswered.
Alabama remained on top throughout the second half until a three from junior Katie Frerking gave the Tigers the 47-45 edge with 3:48 remaining.
Karyla Middlebrook then came up big for the Tide with six straight points, giving Alabama a 51-47 lead.
“Karyla’s toughness and her character to respond with the basketball in her hands, of making better decisions down the stretch, I think was key,” Curry said. “It was also key for her to knock the three down and get to the foul line to convert. She certainly grew up tonight before our eyes, and that’s good to see.”
Montgomery hit one final shot for Auburn with 48 seconds to go before Carter’s rejection at the last second.
Alabama had three players in double-figures, led by Middlebrook with 12 points and a team-high five assists. Sophomore Ashley Williams added 11, while junior Nikki Hegstetter led the Tide in rebounds with six and added 10 points. The Tide also received big minutes from Carter, who contributed a season-high eight points in the win.
Prior to her ejection, Knight had recorded five points, three rebounds and one steal in 11 minutes of action.
Alabama will continue play at home Sunday when it hosts the Vanderbilt Commodores. Tipoff between the conference foes is set for noon at Foster Auditorium.