Alabama Women’s Basketball loses in double overtime of the NCAA Tournament after wasting a second-half lead.

In what will be remembered as one of the most gut-wrenching defeats in recent history for Alabama Women’s Basketball, the Crimson Tide were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament after a thrilling and heartbreaking double-overtime loss to the Maryland Terrapins. Alabama had been in control for much of the game, especially after holding a commanding second-half lead, but poor decision-making, missed opportunities, and unforced errors ultimately sealed their fate. The Terrapins, with their resilience and clutch plays in the final moments, outlasted Alabama in a game that will go down as one of the most dramatic in tournament history. The final score was 90-85 in favor of Maryland after two overtimes, sending the Crimson Tide home with a bitter taste of regret.

First Half: Alabama Takes Control Early

The game started with both teams showing nerves, as they both realized the weight of the moment — a chance to advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. Alabama, playing with a chip on its shoulder, started the first half with a sense of urgency. They used their aggressive defense and fast-break offense to stifle Maryland, forcing turnovers and creating easy transition opportunities.

The Tide’s offense was propelled by the dynamic duo of Jasmine Walker and Jordan Lewis. Walker, the senior forward, was a constant presence in the paint, scoring efficiently around the basket and grabbing key rebounds. Lewis, the junior guard, was her dynamic counterpart. She knocked down a series of mid-range jumpers and three-pointers, showcasing her ability to score both off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations. Lewis also showed excellent court vision, dishing out several assists to her teammates.

Maryland struggled to contain Alabama’s pace and energy. The Terrapins’ defense, which had been one of their strongest suits throughout the season, was vulnerable to Alabama’s up-tempo style. Shakira Austin, Maryland’s star forward, was one of the few bright spots for the Terrapins in the first half. Austin’s presence in the post and ability to finish around the basket kept Maryland from falling too far behind, but Alabama’s defense on the perimeter limited the effectiveness of Maryland’s outside shooters.

By the end of the first half, Alabama had established a solid lead, up by 41-36. Their defense was suffocating, and their offense was flowing smoothly. It seemed as if the Crimson Tide were in control, and the Terrapins would need to regroup in the locker room to have any chance of pulling off a comeback.

Second Half: Alabama Lets the Lead Slip Away

The second half began with Maryland showing signs of life. They came out of the locker room with renewed energy, focusing on tightening up their defense and improving their shot selection. Diamond Miller, Maryland’s explosive guard, began to assert herself more on offense, using her speed and athleticism to penetrate Alabama’s defense and create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. Miller, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, began to hit mid-range jumpers and get to the free-throw line, slowly chipping away at Alabama’s lead.

On the other side, Alabama’s offense started to stagnate. Jasmine Walker, who had been so dominant in the first half, struggled to maintain her efficiency, missing several contested shots and failing to create opportunities for her teammates. Jordan Lewis, who had been aggressive early on, became a little more passive, and Maryland’s defense was able to limit her scoring chances. It was clear that the momentum had shifted, and Alabama began to feel the pressure.

Midway through the second half, the Terrapins had fully found their rhythm. After a three-pointer from Miller and a couple of key layups from Austin, Maryland had taken the lead for the first time since early in the first half. Alabama’s offense went ice cold, with turnovers, missed shots, and a lack of ball movement plaguing their efforts. The Crimson Tide, once poised and confident, now looked rattled.

With just under five minutes left in regulation, Maryland led by 70-64, and the Crimson Tide found themselves in a dire situation. But Alabama wasn’t about to go down without a fight. The Tide made a desperate push to reclaim the lead, and their defense stepped up when it mattered most. Key stops and a few crucial offensive rebounds allowed Alabama to tie the game at 74-74 with just seconds remaining.

With the clock winding down, Jordan Lewis had the ball in her hands for a potential game-winning shot. She dribbled to the top of the key, trying to create space for a jumper. With just seconds left, she launched a contested three-pointer at the buzzer — but it missed. The game was forced into overtime, and the tension in the arena reached a fever pitch.

Overtime 1: Both Teams Dig Deep

The first overtime period started with both teams exhausted but determined to survive. Alabama had regained some composure, and their defense improved slightly. However, Maryland’s ability to execute in the clutch made it clear that they weren’t going to go down easily.

With the clock winding down in the first overtime, Maryland led by 82-81 after a clutch jumper by Miller. Alabama’s defense had been able to stymie most of Maryland’s key players, but they couldn’t contain Miller, who was showing off her entire offensive game — hitting contested shots, driving to the basket, and drawing fouls.

In the final minute, Alabama had an opportunity to take the lead after a couple of Maryland turnovers. With just seconds remaining, Jasmine Walker had a chance to put the Tide ahead with a baseline jumper, but her shot was blocked by Shakira Austin, and the ball was deflected out of bounds. Alabama regained possession, but their final play fell apart, and the game entered a second overtime.

Overtime 2: Maryland’s Clutch Play Seals the Victory

The second overtime was an emotional rollercoaster for both teams. Alabama had chances to take control, but Maryland’s clutch performances continued to make the difference. With both teams battling fatigue, it was the Terrapins’ resilience that prevailed.

Early in the second overtime, Miller hit a crucial three-pointer to give Maryland a slight lead. Alabama responded with a driving layup by Jordan Lewis, but the Terrapins’ offensive efficiency proved too much. In the final minutes of overtime, it was Diamond Miller again who proved to be the difference-maker. With the score tied at 85-85, Miller knocked down another contested jumper, giving Maryland a two-point lead with less than a minute remaining.

Alabama had one last chance to tie the game, but their offense was stifled by Maryland’s defense. Jasmine Walker missed a contested three-pointer with just seconds remaining, and Alabama’s last-ditch attempt at a desperation foul to stop the clock only delayed the inevitable. Maryland sank their free throws in the final seconds, closing the game out with a 90-85 victory.

Postgame: Alabama Reflects on the Missed Opportunity

After the game, the Alabama players were visibly devastated. They had come so close to advancing to the next round of the NCAA Tournament, but mistakes down the stretch ultimately cost them the game.

Head coach Kristy Curry spoke to the media, trying to console her players. “I am so proud of the fight we showed tonight,” Curry said. “We played with heart, we played with passion, and we gave it everything we had. But sometimes, you’ve got to give credit to the other team. Maryland made the plays when it counted. We had our chances, but we just didn’t execute in those key moments.”

Jasmine Walker, who had led Alabama in scoring with 22 points and 14 rebounds, struggled to hold back tears as she reflected on the game. “We were in control, and we had it. We let it slip away, and that’s the hardest part,” Walker said. “But we fought. We fought until the end, and I know we gave everything we had.”

Jordan Lewis, who had contributed 18 points and several key assists, also expressed the heartbreak of the loss. “I don’t think it’s hit me yet,” Lewis said. “We put ourselves in a position to win, and we just couldn’t finish. I know we’ll learn from this, but it’s going to sting for a long time.”

Looking Forward: What’s Next for Alabama?

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Alabama’s performance throughout the NCAA Tournament should be viewed as a step forward for the program. While they didn’t advance as far as they had hoped, the Crimson Tide proved that they have the talent and resilience to compete at the highest level. The development of players like Jasmine Walker and Jordan Lewis, along with the strong leadership of coach Kristy Curry, bodes well for the future of Alabama women’s basketball.

The road ahead will be one of reflection and growth. Alabama’s players will undoubtedly use this painful defeat as motivation, learning from the mistakes made in the final moments of the game. The experience will serve as a valuable teaching tool as they look to build on their success and come back even stronger in the seasons to come.