Timmons, Weathers lead fourth quarter charge and No. 23 Alabama women defeat Mississippi State 85-78

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Jessica Timmons scored a career-high 28 points, she and Karly Weathers dominated the fourth quarter on offense, and No. 23 Alabama rallied to defeat Mississippi State 85-78 on Sunday.

Weathers scored 11 of her 13 points in the fourth quarter and Timmons had seven fourth-quarter points, 18 in the second half.

Timmons scored 11 points in the third quarter while Alabama built an eight-point lead with 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the period. But the Bulldogs hit their next six shots — four of them by Jaylah Lampley — and they took a 60-56 lead into the fourth.

There were three lead changes in the fourth quarter and Alabama went ahead for good when Weathers hit a layup and a 3-pointer followed by a three-point play by Timmons.

Mississippi State was within 74-70 before another 3 from Weathers put the Crimson Tide up by seven with two minutes remaining.

Diana Collins scored 15 points and Naomi Jones and Ace Austin added 10 each for Alabama (18-3, 4-3 SEC).

Favour Nwaedozi scored 19 points, Madison Francis 16, Lampley 14 and Trayanna Crisp 11 for Mississippi State (15-6, 2-5 SEC). Francis had eight rebounds and seven steals.

Four players hit 3-pointers for Alabama in the first quarter, helping the Crimson Tide take a 15-14 lead. There were five lead changes in the first few minutes of the second quarter, then Alabama went on to lead 35-31 at halftime.

Timmons made 11 of 11 free throws and the Crimson Tide hit on 20 of 24 from the foul line. Mississippi State made 18 of 21 free throws.

Mississippi State: The Bulldogs play Thursday at No. 17 Tennessee.

Alabama: The Crimson Tide visit Georgia on Thursday. ___

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