Alabama women's basketball picked up a gutsy win against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Monday night, 74-66, to go over .500 in SEC play.

The Crimson Tide scored eight points in the second quarter, but came out like a different team in the second half, outscoring Vanderbilt 50-33 in the final two quarters. Aaliyah Nye and Sarah Ashlee Barker combined for 47 of the team's 74 total points.

Sarah Ashlee Barker led all scorers with 24 points, along with Aaliyah Nye scoring 23 and Loyal McQueen scoring 13.

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Here are three takeaways from the game between Alabama (18-6, 5-4 SEC) and Vanderbilt (17-6, 4-5 SEC):

Stifling defense early by Vanderbilt

The Commodores defense was stifling in the first half, allowing eight total points in the second quarter. Vanderbilt made every shot difficult for Alabama and forced nine turnovers, while holding the Crimson Tide to 35% shooting.

The Crimson Tide did not score its first points in the second quarter until the 4:30 mark, going scoreless for over half the quarter.

Vanderbilt was able to outscore the Crimson Tide, 21-8, in the second quarter to take a 33-24 halftime lead.

Alabama's offense stagnant in first half

Putting together an entire game has been Alabama's biggest weakness this season and that continued on Monday against the Commodores.

Alabama struggled offensively in the first half against the Commodores, scoring eight points in the second quarter on 30% shooting. Against one of the better defenses in the SEC, Alabama was lucky to be down by nine in the first half.

The Crimson Tide need to step up offensively in order to have a chance to move up in conference standings.

Seniors lift Alabama

Sarah Ashlee Barker, Aaliyah Nye and Loyal McQueen stepped up when the Crimson Tide needed them to most in the second half, helping Alabama orchestrate a successful second half comeback.

Despite briefly going to the locker room with an injury, Sarah Ashlee Barker returned to the court after just a minute, scoring 20-plus points for the third straight game, with 15 coming in the third quarter.

Aaliyah Nye and Loyal McQueen stepped up big for Alabama, with Nye hitting some crucial buckets down the stretch and McQueen taking care of the ball in the second half.

All three seniors led Alabama in minutes played.

Up next

The Crimson Tide return to Tuscaloosa to face the Tennessee Volunteers at Coleman Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 8 (6 p.m., SEC Network+).

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama women's basketball pick up big victory against Vanderbilt.