Emotional Win for Alabama Basketball’s Hannah Barber

You can excuse Hannah Barber if she opted to not play in Alabama’s SEC opener towards Georgia on Thursday.

The Crimson Tide senior guard’s grandfather handed away earlier within the week and was laid to relaxation Tuesday morning.

Barber by no means hesitated. She wished to play. She demanded to play. Papa would have wished her to play.

She even begged coach Kristy Curry to let her follow that Tuesday afternoon after the funeral.

Barber suited up Thursday and helped carry Alabama previous Georgia, 56-53. She drilled 4 clutch 3-pointers to account for all her 12 factors and she or he disrupted Georgia’s Diamond Battles within the remaining seconds to drive a turnover to safe the win.

“He was somebody who at all times got here to my video games,” Barber stated of her grandfather, Dykes Barber Sr. “Rising up, he was considered one of my greatest supporters. That is one thing he would need me to do, to proceed to point out up for my teammates and coaches.

“It was particular to play tonight and get the win.”

Alabama jumped out to a double-digit lead early, and simply when Georgia discovered its rhythm and seemed to be in command, there was Alabama’s Barber inflicting havoc.

3 times within the second quarter Georgia took benefit of Crimson Tide turnovers and transformed to get again inside single digits. 3 times Barber responded with a giant 3-pointer to throw chilly water on Georgia’s momentum and stretch the Crimson Tide’s lead.

“What she did in the present day with what she’s been going by the final 5 days says so much about her character and her willingness to persevere by a tough week,” Curry stated of Barber. “She is the epitome of what a student-athlete needs to be on and off the ground and the way she handles herself.”

Within the second half it was Brittany Davis’ flip to hold the staff. The senior guard, who completed with a team-high 17 factors with 9 rebounds, nailed a few 3-pointers and a layup to maintain the hammer down on Georgia.

It was factor, too. Throughout Davis’ scoring burst, the Crimson Tide had points defending Georgia’s 6-foot-3 ahead Brittney Smith, who completed with 17 factors. She scored 3 times within the paint early within the third quarter to maintain tempo with Davis. However Alabama nonetheless led 41-27.

Alabama then acquired a bit sloppy with ill-advised 3-point makes an attempt and turnovers. Georgia took benefit and reduce the result in inside single digits (41-32) for the fourth time because the opening quarter.

Georgia outscored Alabama 11-3 over the past six minutes of the third quarter and the lead was down to 6 factors, 44-38.

Then Barber knocked down her remaining 3-pointer to place Alabama up 47-38.

Nonetheless, Georgia nonetheless fought its option to inside one level within the closing moments, capitalizing on 5 Alabama turnovers. Alabama additionally didn’t get a shot off within the final 4 minutes towards Georgia’s zone protection with put up participant Jada Rice on the bench in foul hassle.

“We had been hesitant,” Curry stated. “I’ve acquired to do a greater job placing them into conditions to achieve success. You need to get put up touches and it was actually tough with out Jada within the sport.”

Alabama did not hit a discipline objective within the remaining four-and-a-half minutes and blew an eight-point lead throughout that span. However Alabama was 8 of 10 on free throws within the remaining 5 minutes to place the sport away.

You don’t should be a genius to determine turnovers had been the important thing. Alabama dedicated 14 within the second half to Georgia’s six. The Bulldogs had 15 within the first half.

Georgia’s likelihood to tie the sport with 17 seconds left failed, and Davis grabbed the rebound on a free throw. She hit two free throws down the stretch to make it a three-point sport when Barber compelled the ultimate turnover.

Alabama (12-2, 1-0 SEC) travels to face Tennessee on Jan. 1.