Alabama women's basketball suffered a 55-45 loss against the Ole Miss Rebels in the SEC opener at Coleman Coliseum.

The Crimson Tide (13-3) drops its first SEC game of the season and its second straight game to the Rebels dating back to the 2023 season.

Sarah Ashlee Barker was the lone double-digit scorer for Alabama with 15 points. Jessica Timmons had 10 points and JeAnna Cunningham had nine points off the bench as well.

Barker left the game late in the fourth quarter with a lower body injury.

PRE-SEC PLAY PREVIEW: Alabama women's basketball season takeaways prior to SEC play

EARLY SEASON WIN: Aliyah Nye and Sarah Ashlee Barker lead Alabama women's basketball past SFA on Saturday

Here are a few takeaways from Alabama's loss:

Both defenses at a premium

Alabama and Ole Miss lived up to their expectations in a matchup between two top-20 total defenses in the nation.

In the first half, the Crimson Tide held the Rebels to 35% shooting from the field on 27 total points.

The Rebels defense was on full display in the first half, holding the Crimson Tide to just 16 points on 21% shooting.

The last two seasons, this matchup has not seen a lot of scoring with only one game above 40% shooting combined from Ole Miss in Feb., 2023.

Alabama's struggle offensively

The Crimson Tide did not have a good night shooting the basketball and that ultimately cost them the game.

It seemed like Alabama did not get a good look all game, as Ole Miss seemingly contested every single shot that the Crimson Tide took. Aaliyah Nye only attempted one three pointer the entire game and ended the game scoreless.

Alabama had just 16 points at halftime on 21% shooting, while failing to hit double digit scoring quarters in each of the its first two quarters. This was the Crimson Tide's season low in a half all season.

Alabama drops first SEC game of 2024

After a 7-2 lead in the first quarter, Alabama failed to maintain the lead against the Rebels the rest of the way.

It was a tough night shooting wise for the Crimson Tide, making just 29% of its shots on a season-low 45 points and a season-low five made three pointers.

Ole Miss did not shoot the ball at a high level either at just 31%, but had an answer for Alabama each time it seemed like the Crimson Tide were poised to go on a run.

Up next

Alabama continues SEC play by traveling to Missouri (9-4) on Sunday, Jan. 7, in Mizzou Arena at 5 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.

Alabama split its two game series with Missouri last season.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama women's basketball loses its SEC opener at home against Ole Miss