Alabama women's basketball defeats Missouri for its first SEC win of the season

Alabama women's basketball won its first SEC game of the season, 79-64, against the Missouri Tigers (9-6) on Sunday.

The Crimson Tide (14-3, 1-1 SEC) picked up their second straight victory at Mizzou Arena dating back to 2023.

Sarah Ashlee Barker and Aaliyah Nye led Alabama with 23 points each, with Jessica Timmons scoring 15 points, and Essence Cody scoring 10 points.

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Here are three takeaways from Alabama's win:

Offense bounces back

After a major struggle offensively against Ole Miss, scoring its lowest total in two years at just 45 points, Alabama looked much improved offensively against the Tigers on Sunday

The Crimson Tide made more three-pointers in the first quarter than they did the entire game against Ole Miss at six.

Alabama finished the game shooting 46% from the field, and recorded a season high 16 three-pointers made.

Nye finds her three-point shot

After making no three-pointers against Ole Miss, Aaliyah Nye found her signature three-point shot against the Tigers.

She currently ranks second in the SEC in three-point percentage and ranked third nationally going into the game in three-pointers made at 54.

Nye finished the night going 7-for-14 from three point range on an incredible 50%.

First half defensive struggles

A surprise struggle came on the defensive end from Alabama on Sunday, allowing 41 points at the break.

After the first half, the Crimson Tide allowed the Tigers to shoot 55% from the field and allowed a season-high 22 points in the paint, while also failing to get back on defense allowing 10 fast break points.

However, Alabama was able to pick up the defensive efforts in the second half with a 13-2 run to start the third quarter, and only allowing 23 second half points.

Up next

Alabama continues SEC play by traveling to Georgia (10-5) on Thursday, Jan. 11, in Stegeman Coliseum at 6 p.m. CT on the SEC Network+.

Alabama won its only game against Georgia last season.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama women's basketball defeats Missouri for its first SEC victory of the season