A new chapter of Alabama women's basketball officially began Monday night, and the Crimson Tide gave its new head coach plenty to celebrate.
Alabama opened the 2026-27 regular season with a commanding 92-56 victory over Queens inside Coleman Coliseum, giving Pauline Love her first regular-season win as the program's head coach.
The Crimson Tide showcased a balanced offensive attack, defensive pressure and an ability to create opportunities in the paint, with five players reaching double figures in the season-opening victory.
Kylie Torrence led Alabama with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Ace Austin added 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Amirah Anderson also finished with 14 points, providing another scoring option for a Crimson Tide offense that found contributions throughout the lineup.
Alabama establishes control early
Queens initially gave Alabama some resistance, opening the contest with a 5-1 advantage as the Crimson Tide worked through a few early turnovers and missed opportunities around the basket. However, Alabama quickly settled into its offensive rhythm. After falling behind early, the Crimson Tide responded with improved ball movement and an emphasis on attacking the basket. A transition layup from Tianna Chambers gave Alabama a 9-8 advantage, sparking an extended run that shifted the momentum in the home team's favor.
Love called a timeout midway through the opening quarter, and her team responded with increased intensity and execution.
Alabama continued attacking the paint, generating opportunities through quick cuts, transition offense and second-chance possessions. Anderson contributed with a driving layup and an and-one opportunity, while Austin helped push the pace with her ability to advance the basketball in transition.
The Crimson Tide closed the opening quarter with a 22-10 advantage. Alabama's offensive momentum carried into the second quarter, where it continued to find opportunities both inside and beyond the arc. Austin knocked down consecutive three-pointers, while Anderson added another from the perimeter. Torrence connected from the corner, and Mykelle Richards provided a spark with an and-one finish after cutting toward the basket.
The Crimson Tide also found success defensively, creating turnovers and converting them into transition opportunities. Torrence recorded a steal that led to a fast-break layup, while Alabama continued to capitalize on Queens' offensive mistakes.
By halftime, Alabama had built a commanding 47-20 lead, putting together a 25-point second quarter.
Queens responds, but Alabama maintains its advantage
The Royals found more offensive consistency coming out of halftime, outscoring Alabama 16-13 in the third quarter. Queens began finding opportunities around the perimeter and attacking the basket, while Alabama experienced some offensive struggles of its own. The Crimson Tide shot just 5-of-15 from the field during the period as the Royals attempted to chip away at the deficit.
Despite the offensive slowdown, Alabama continued receiving contributions from its frontcourt. Naomi Jones connected with a rolling teammate for a scoring opportunity, while Caitlin Staley used her positioning and ability to box out defenders to create an easy basket in the paint.
Queens also experimented with a 2-3 zone defense, forcing Alabama to adjust its offensive approach. However, a corner three-pointer from Aaliyah Roberson helped the Crimson Tide maintain its separation. Alabama entered the fourth quarter with a 60-36 advantage.
Torrence, Anderson help Alabama close the door
Any opportunity for a Queens comeback quickly faded as Alabama regained its offensive rhythm in the final quarter. Anderson connected on two three-pointers, including a shot from the top of the key and another from the corner, helping fuel an early Alabama scoring surge.
Torrence continued making her presence felt around the basket, while Richards capitalized on an offensive rebound for another second-chance opportunity. Austin also delivered in transition, converting a coast-to-coast layup after a Queens turnover.
The Crimson Tide's defensive pressure continued to create problems for the Royals, who struggled to maintain possession and find consistent scoring opportunities. Alabama eventually stretched its advantage to 36 points, completing a dominant 92-56 season-opening victory.
A promising start to the Pauline Love era
Monday's victory provided an early glimpse of what Alabama hopes to establish under Love. The Crimson Tide demonstrated its ability to generate offense from multiple players, attack the paint and create opportunities through defensive pressure. Its balanced scoring attack was particularly encouraging, with five players finishing in double figures.
For Love, the victory marks the beginning of her first regular season leading the program and an important first step in establishing a new identity in Tuscaloosa. Alabama will look to carry that momentum into its next matchup when it welcomes New Orleans to Coleman Coliseum on Wednesday, Nov. 4.