The third quarter got away from Alabama quickly, allowing Vanderbilt to remove any doubt after only being up by four points at the half. The Tide had a great second quarter, outscoring the Commodores 16-8, and looked in good shape going into the half down 36-32.
Unfortunately, that was the closest Alabama would get for the rest of the night. Vandy woke up quickly out of the locker room, going on an 11-0 run to start the third quarter. Mikayla Blakes showed why she is up for every major award this season, putting up 30 before the third quarter horn and ending the game with 35 points.
As good as Jessica Timmons was in Gainesville on Sunday, she struggled in Nashville, shooting 5-of-18 from the field but still led the team with 16 points. Ta'Mia Scott was second in scoring, putting up 15 points in the loss.
We all knew it was going to take a monumental effort from everyone in Crimson to knock off the best Vandy team in school history on the road, but if there is a positive to take away from this game for Kristy Curry's team is how well they played against a great team in the second quarter.
Unfortunately, moral victories get you nothing in the win column, and it gets no easier in the season finale as Alabama returns home to Coleman on Sunday to take on another top-five team in Texas who won last year's matchup by over 40 points. At this point, we can only hope it is a much closer affair, but unfortunately, we have seen as of late that there is just a huge difference between Alabama and the elite teams of the SEC.
It would be great to get more from Essence Cody, who has not scored in double digits since Super Bowl Sunday against the Aggies.