Alabama got a fight from 12-seed and Horizon League Champion Green Bay, but in the end Zaay Green and Aaliyah Nye proved to be too much for the Phoenix as the Crimson Tide advanced to the 2nd Round of the NCAA Tournament with an 81-67 win on Saturday in College Park.
Green was steady from the jump and Nye closed the deal with a barrage of three-pointers in the fourth quarter. Her last three set a new program record for single-season three-pointers made.
Alabama led just 19-17 after one quarter, but went on a run late in the second quarter to take a 38-29 lead to the half.
In the fourth quarter, however, a Bailey Butler three-pointer cut Alabama's lead to 59-54 with just over seven minutes to play. Things felt tense, but as she often has, Nye stepped up when it was time to close the deal.
She connected on a three on the next possession to push Alabama's lead back to eight. With Alabama leading 70-61with four minutes to play, Nye went on a personal 8-0 run to shut the door on Green Bay. She splashed a three, made a layup cutting to the basket, and then hit another three to drive the dagger into the Phoenix.
Nye finished with a team-leading 23 points, 11 of which came in the game's final period. Zaay Green wasn't far behind, scoring 22 points and doing a ton of damage on the interior against an undersized Green Bay team.
Karly Weathers had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. It was a mismatch on the offensive glass with the Crimson Tide outrebounding Green Bay 43-27, including a 13-5 edge in offensive rebounds.
Sarah Ashlee Barker struggled from the field, making just 4-of-11 on her way to nine points, but she added seven rebounds and eight assists in an all-around effort for the Tide star.
What's next for Alabama Women's Basketball in the NCAA Tournament?
For the second year in a row and the third time in five seasons, Kristy Curry is leading Alabama into the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Crimson Tide will next play on Monday at a TBD time against the winner of Maryland and Norfolk State. The opponent will likely be the 4-seeded Terrapins, who will be playing on their home floor.
It has been 27 years since the women's program has advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. They are one win away from doing so, and adding another notch in the belt of Curry who has rebuilt this program from scratch.