Alabama women's basketball pulled away in the second half against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers on Thursday, 72-56, after a close battle in the first half.

The Crimson Tide now picks up its fourth straight conference win, preventing Tennessee from coming back in the game, picking up its first victory against the Lady Vols since 2022.

Alabama head coach Kristy Curry lauded the team's defensive effort in the win.

"To be able to limit Tennessee to just 56 points compared to their average of 78 says a lot about us and who we want to be as a team," she said.

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Here are three takeaways from the game between Alabama (19-6, 6-4 SEC) and Tennessee (14-8, 7-3 SEC):

Jessica Timmons and Aaliyah Nye step up offensively

Jessica Timmons and Aaliyah Nye were able to pick up the offense for Alabama against Tennessee.

Timmons had eight first half points and three rebounds, while Nye had 10 points and two assists at halftime, leading all scorers.

Timmons and Nye continued their efficient scoring in the second half, finishing with 14 and 23 points, leading Alabama to a big victory against the Lady Vols.

"We knew Sarah Ashlee was struggling so we had to go in there and knock down the shots. Just credit to the coaching staff for putting us in great positions to make baskets," Nye said.

Back and forth first-half affair

It was a gritty, hard-fought and physical first half battle between Alabama and Tennessee.

Neither team allowed the other to go on a run in the first half, playing tough defense with bodies flying all over the place for loose balls, while also holding each other to sub-40% shooting from the field.

The score of the game at the break replicated the half both teams played with Alabama leading Tennessee, 30-28.

Alabama wins its first game against Tennessee since 2022, in driver's seat for NCAA Tournament

Alabama won its first game against the Lady Vols on Thursday for the first time since 2022, picking up arguably its biggest win of the season.

Tennessee entered the game second in the SEC with a 7-2 conference record and two straight conference wins.

Alabama now picks up its fourth straight conference win, putting them in prime position for a NCAA tournament berth and a potential high-seed in the SEC tournament in March.

Up next

The Crimson Tide travel to Baton Rouge, La. to face the No. 13 LSU Tigers in Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Sunday, Feb. 11. (3 p.m., ESPN2)

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama women's basketball beats Tennessee for its fourth straight SEC win