Alabama women’s basketball suffered postseason disappointment on Friday, when the Crimson Tide dropped 83-61 in its first game of the SEC Tournament against Tennessee. UA finished the year 23-9, 10-6 in SEC play.

After the game, Alabama coach Kristy Curry praised the Lady Vols.

“I think Tennessee played great today,” Curry said in a UA press release. “Rickea Jackson and Jewel Spear played well, and they were a handful for us. We never found a solution for those two today and then we didn’t rebound the ball like we did when we played them in Tuscaloosa. I think on a day like today, a lot of times you come in here and talk about what you don’t do, but I think you give credit to Tennessee today.

Spear led all players with 24 points for UT. Jackson led in rebounds, with nine. The Lady Vols shot 51% from the field throughout the game.

The Tide had drawn a double-bye for the tournament. The Lady Vols will face South Carolina in the semifinals.

Alabama never led Friday. The Tide shot 40 from the field, and was led by Sarah Ashlee Barker, who put up 17 points.

Loyal McQueen also chipped in with 15 points for Alabama. The Crimson Tide will find out its next destination on March 17.

“I don’t want today to take away from what these kids accomplished in the regular season with 23 wins,” Curry said. “There’s a lot of competitors and a lot of teary eyes in the locker room right now, but at the end of the day, I’m looking forward to Selection Sunday with this group because I’m proud of who they’ve been all year long.”