Alabama guard Sarah Ashlee Barker received due praise from fans and pundits alike after turning in a historic March Madness performance in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament

Sarah Ashlee Barker has put the WNBA on notice after turning in a historic March Madness performance.

On Monday, Barker nearly single-handedly propelled No. 5 seed Alabama to its first Sweet 16 berth in 27 years – doing everything in her power to stave off elimination against No. 4 Maryland in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. Despite the star guard’s best efforts, the Crimson Tide would ultimately fall to the Terrapins, 111-108, in double overtime.

When the dust had finally settled on the back-and-forth game, Barker finished with 45 points on 17-of-25 shooting from the field – including 4-of-6 from behind the arc. The incredible scoring output shattered a multitude of records, including the Alabama school record for most points in a game, the most points by any SEC player in an NCAA tournament game and the fourth-most in a Women’s NCAA Tournament game.

To round out her dominant stat sheet, Barker additionally amassed eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals. But it wasn’t until the late stages of the contest that she truly cemented herself as a March Madness legend.

After Alabama blew a 17-point third quarter lead, Maryland came storming back with 44 second half points to force overtime. Once teammates Zaay Green and Aaliyah Nye were sent to the bench upon fouling out, Barker was asked to lead the Crimson Tide to victory practically all by herself – and she nearly did.

In the closing moments of the first overtime, Barker was fouled on a three-point shot attempt and sent to the line with Alabama down, 96-93. Despite the immeasurable pressure placed on her shoulders, she calmly sunk all three free throws to send the game to double OT.

Though Alabama would eventually be outscored 15-12 in the closing minutes and suffer a gut-wrenching loss, Barker still drew considerable praise for her dominant performance. “Boy if the WNBA players are not looking at Barker they’d better be after today. She has a will to do whatever her team needs to win the basketball game,” commentator Helen Williams said.

“Sarah Ashlee Barker tremendous player, tremendous performance.”

Taking to social media, droves of fans and pundits commended Barker for her valiant efforts. “Sarah Ashlee Barker just balled tf out putting her team on her back! She better get drafted in April bcz she is an absolute baller,” one X user wrote, with another adding: “Tip of the cap to Sarah Ashlee Barker. Hell of a performance. 45 points. 45!! Can’t and shouldn’t take that from her! Did all she could to carry her team down the stretch.”