TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women's basketball team finished the game on a 7-0 run to edge Missouri State, 65-61, Tuesday afternoon in Coleman Coliseum.

"This was a great win for our team against a really well-coached team, who is very talented," said head coach Kristy Curry . "They've been playing their best basketball with three straight wins, and a 30-point win over a Big 10 team. I really feel like they're going to make some noise in their league."

"This is a huge win for our program come March, with RPI and the league that they're in. I'm really proud of our kids. With about 3:40 to go (in the game), I saw a look in their eyes that was special. They were able to get some stops and make some plays. I can't say enough about Ashley Williams ' energy down the stretch and Shaquera (Wade)'s ability to knock down free throws. It just was big play after big play by Alabama."

The Crimson Tide (8-3) held the Lady Bears (4-7) scoreless for the final 2:45 of the game to earn its fourth consecutive win.

Senior Ashley Williams led the way for the Tide, scoring a season-high 21 points (7-of-11 from the floor) and grabbing nine rebounds. Junior Shaquera Wade chipped in eight points to go along with five rebounds and two key steals at the end of the game to seal the victory.

In the first half, both teams struggled to convert shots with the two sides only shooting 34 percent from the field. The Crimson Tide took the 28-27 advantage into halftime after the Lady Bears banked in a three-point heave at the buzzer to cut the deficit.

The two teams continued to battle back-and-forth in the third quarter, with neither side gaining more than a six-point advantage. Alabama led 47-45 heading into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth, Williams kept the Tide within striking distance by scoring eight points and grabbing timely offensive rebounds. With 1:32 left in the game and the Lady Bears up 61-58, Williams knocked down a jumper and followed it up a minute later with a layup to put UA on top, 62-61, with 29 seconds remaining in the game.

Wade closed out the game by hitting 3-of-4 from the line down the stretch to make it a two-possession game, while the Tide defense forced four turnovers in the final 28 seconds to prevent the Lady Bears from getting back into the contest.

Alabama shot 56.1 percent (23-of-41) from inside the arc and outscored Missouri State 32-10 in the paint in the win.

The Tide ill return to action tomorrow at 7 p.m. CT to take on Murray State in Coleman Coliseum. The game will air live on SEC Network+.

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