by College Park, Md. (AP) -Aaliyah Nye scored 23 points and Zaay Green added 22 to leading fifth placed Alabama to a victory of 81-67 over Saturday over the 12th Green Bay placed.
The Crimson Tide (24-8) ended the 22-game extraction streak of Green Bay and now goes to the second round to be confronted under the Maryland or Norfolk State on Monday. Maddy Schreiber scored 14 points for the Phoenix (29-6).
Green Bay kept the game closed for most of the first half, but the Horizon League champion allowed six straight points to end the second quarter and was behind 38-29. The Crimson Tide – who has earned their highest seed since 1999 – now has a chance to achieve another breakthrough in March Madness. They have not made the Sweet 16 since 1998.
Alabama pushed his lead to 13 in the third quarter. The margin had fallen to five at the start of the fourth, but NYE was committed to a 3-point reach to ward off that Green Bay Push.
Take -away meals
Green Bay: It was again a good season for one of the better Mid Major programs in the country, which continued to roll immediately after the old coach Kevin Borseth retired and was replaced by Kayla Karius. But the Phoenix did not get enough stops to jump the upset against the Crimson Tide.
Alabama: This was a good test in the first round, and the Crimson Tide passed it and ended strongly in both halves. Top scorer Sarah Ashlee Barker only scored nine points, but Alabama still placed the most points by an opponent of Green Bay, because the Phoenix 92 allowed to Kansas State in their first game of the season. Barker had eight assists and seven rebounds.
Important statistics
Alabama’s size benefit was noticeable – both inside and on the waiting position. The Crimson Tide defeated Green Bay 40-22 and went 4 of 6 from 3-point reach in the fourth quarter after they were 6 of 21 to three.
Important moment
In the last seconds of the first half, NYE went wrong and converted every attempt to give Alabama a nine points lead.
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