Despite losing in the SEC tournament, Alabama women's basketball made history in 2023-24

It was a rough day for Alabama women's basketball in SEC Tournament opening-game Friday, losing to Tennessee by 22, in what was the Crimson Tide's second worst conference loss of the season.

Alabama was outplayed on both sides of the court, struggling both offensively and defensively from start to finish. It also allowed an uncharacteristic conference season-high 81 points, on 50% shooting from the field, while shooting just 40% as a team and 19% from three-point range.

The Crimson Tide had its best season under coach Kristy Curry in 202324, finishing (23-8, 10-6 SEC) in the regular season.

Tennessee seniors Rickea Jackson and Jewel Spear were the stars of the show Friday, combining for 46 of the team's 83 points. Jackson bounced back from the first time the two teams met in Coleman Coliseum. She showed why she is a projected top-5 selection in the 2024 WNBA draft, scoring 22 points on 9-for-14 shooting and grabbing nine rebounds. Spear also had an incredible day shooting the basketball, going 6-for-6 from three and becoming the first player ever to make six straight threes without a miss in SEC tournament history.

It was the complete opposite for Alabama, who was not able to get the same offensive production from its leading seniors, Sarah Ashlee Barker and Aaliyah Nye. Both combined for 21 points on 9-for-26 shooting and one made three-pointer.

It was an all-around bad day for Alabama, who was also poor defensively, which was the biggest surprise. All year, the Crimson Tide have been regarded as one of the top defenses in the SEC — allowing 61 points per game. But the Lady Vols were able to take full advantage of that.

Despite the loss, there are still a lot of positives to take away from Alabama's season. The team had two AllSEC players in Sarah Ashlee Barker and Aaliyah Nye. Essence Cody made the All-Freshman team, the first Crimson Tide player to do so for the first time since the 2017 season. Alabama also finished with its first 10-win SEC season for the first time since 1997-98 season and the first time recording three consecutive seasons with 20+ wins since the 1990s.

As the Crimson Tide finish SEC play, all eyes are set on the NCAA tournament which begins March 22, with the selection show taking place March 17.