A fast start wasn’t enough for No. 23 Georgia women’s basketball on Thursday night, as the Bulldogs fell to No. 24 Alabama, 68-53.

Georgia opened the game with energy, jumping out to a 20–8 lead in the first quarter behind aggressive defense and efficient scoring. Alabama responded in the second quarter, however, outscoring the Bulldogs 23-8 to take a 31-28 lead into halftime. The Crimson Tide maintained control throughout the second half and pulled away late to secure the road win.

Sophomore forward Mia Woolfolk continued her strong return from injury, scoring 13 points and marking her third consecutive double-digit performance since rejoining the lineup. Rylie Theuerkauf added 11 points, giving her back-to-back double-digit scoring games as the Bulldogs fell to 4-4 in SEC play.

Georgia shot well from the free-throw line, making its first 10 attempts and finishing the night at 73%, but struggled to keep pace offensively after the opening quarter. The Bulldogs started the game hot, shooting 6-6 from the field in the first quarter, but then cooled down and finished the game shooting 33% from the field. Alabama’s depth proved decisive, as the Crimson Tide outscored Georgia 26–11 in bench points and held a 30–24 advantage in points in the paint.

Head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson emphasized the importance of culture and consistency following the loss.

“There’s a lot of tradition here, and we’re really trying to teach our team what it means to wear Georgia on your chest,” Abrahamson-Henderson said. “Every single game we play, even if [alumni] aren’t physically here, they’re watching. They want a certain brand of basketball — they want to see that intensity every single game.”

Woolfolk said returning to Stegeman Coliseum continues to be meaningful for the team, especially after spending extended time on the road.

“It always feels good to be back here at the Steg,” Woolfolk said. “Our fans support us with everything. It’s always good being back home.”

With Alabama keying in defensively, Woolfolk said her focus remained on embracing her role.

“With me personally, I just do my role,” Woolfolk said. “Coach always harps on knowing your role and doing it well. I just had to keep playing my game, no matter who’s coming at me.”

Despite the loss, Woolfolk said the Bulldogs are focused on growth as they prepare for another ranked opponent.

“The positive is there is a next game,” Woolfolk said. “All we can do is learn from this. There’s so many learning experiences we can take from this game, and we can move forward.”

Georgia will continue its stretch against ranked opponents next Thursday, Feb. 5, when it hosts the No. 15 Tennessee at Stegeman Coliseum.