Alabama
Alabama State
Tide Defeats Alabama State in Season Home Opener, 82-56
11/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Chris Woodfin
The No. 4 ranked (AP) University of Alabama men's basketball team (2-0) cruised to an 82-56 victory over in-state foe Alabama State (0-3) to run its home winning streak to 20 games. Alabama is now 35-1 all-time in regular season home openers in Coleman Coliseum including victories in each of the last nine years.
As a team, Alabama shot 49 percent for the game, including 50 percent from three-point range, while holding the Hornets to 34.5 percent from the field.
The Tide also capitalized on Alabama State miscues outscoring the Hornets 21-4 off turnovers.
Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried was pleased with the team effort.
"Our defense was good," Gottfried said. "We made some shots early and I thought a number of our players played well."
For the second straight game Mo Williams led the way for the Tide. The Jackson, Miss. native scored a game-high 20 points from the floor and dished out a game-high five assists.
"We came out and executed offensively," Williams said. "We knew they would be ready to play. I think our defense is what took us over the top. It was a solid team effort."
Senior Terrance Meade and preseason All-American Erwin Dudley also contributed to the Alabama cause. Meade put in 17 points and six rebounds while Dudley chipped in 12 points from the field and grabbed a game-high eight boards.
Gottfried was impressed by Terrance Meade's performance.
"Terrance Meade, especially, started the game off," Gottfried said. "He played very well, shot the ball with confidence, made good passes and I thought had a real good solid game."
For the game, Alabama State was led by guard Keith Gamble, who scored 13 points.
The Tide will return to action next Monday night when Alabama plays host to Middle Tennessee. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. The game can be seen locally in Tuscaloosa on WVUA-TV.
