TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women's basketball team outscored SMU 42-27 in the second half to earn the 59-44 win Sunday afternoon in Coleman Coliseum.

"I loved everything about our effort the first two quarters," said head coach Kristy Curry . "I thought we were taking good shots. We were working hard. Obviously, defensively, had a really good half to hold them to 17 points, and knew that in the third and fourth quarters our shots would start to fall. I just told our kids to stay positive at half, and we got back out a few minutes early to get some shots up."

"We certainly weathered a very ugly first and second quarter, as far as shooting the ball, and found a way to win down the stretch. It was a good day for us. It's a tough game to play after finals, and I loved how our kids responded down the stretch."

The Crimson Tide (7-3) shot 18-of-24 (75 percent) from the free throw line in the second half to edge the Mustangs (4-6).

Senior Hannah Cook led all scorers with 13 points, moving her up to No. 14 all-time in scoring at Alabama with 1,197 career points. The Crimson Tide also had great production from its bench with sophomore transfer Amber Richardson chipping in eight points in her first game with the Tide. Senior Ashley Williams and sophomore Ashley Knight also added nine points apiece in the win.

The two teams struggled offensively in the first half, only totaling eight made field goals combined after 20 minutes of play, as the score was tied 17-17 going into halftime.

The Alabama offense came to life halfway through the third quarter after finishing the period on a 14-4 run, with Ashley Knight scoring six of the 14 to give the Tide the 38-28 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth, the Crimson Tide continued to fend off the Mustangs by shooting 54.5 percent (6-of-11) from the floor, while holding the double-digit advantage for the remainder of the game.

The game featured 15 lead changes, with the Alabama bench outscoring SMU 25-8 and the Tide defense forcing the Mustangs to turn the ball over 17 times.

Alabama will return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at noon CT to take on Missouri State in Coleman Coliseum. The game will air live on SEC Network+.

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