Alabama
UNC Greensboro
Tide Men's Basketball Rolls Past Spartans, 89-61
12/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Chris Woodfin
The No. 3 ranked (AP) University of Alabama men's basketball team (5-0) blew open a tight game with a 25-4 run over the last 7:22 of the first half to take a 20 point halftime lead and never looked back as the Crimson Tide rolled to an 89-61 victory over UNC-Greensboro (3-2). Alabama has now won 22 straight home games, tying the school record.
The Tide dominated UNC-Greensboro in the paint. Alabama's inside game outscored the Spartans 38-10 and grabbed a season high 46 rebounds.
Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried was pleased with the Tide's inside game.
"We wanted to go inside," Gottfried said. "We felt like we could control the paint."
Seniors Erwin Dudley and Kenny Walker led the way for the Tide scoring 18 and 17 respectively. The duo combined to hit 13 of 17 from the field.
"I thought Kenny Walker, there in the first half, was phenomenal," Gottfried said. "He played really well. He is one of those guys that can really make our team better, when he plays like that."
"Ever since the Ohio State game, I thought I was taking good shots they were just not going in," Walker said. "Tonight warming up I just knew they would go in."
Also leading the way for Alabama was sophomore Mo Williams. The Jackson, Miss. native scored 13 points and dished out a season best seven assists.
Alabama also picked up 10 steals and forced 13 turnovers.
Gottfried credited the Tide's defense for keying Alabama's first half run.
"I thought at the start (of the game) we had our cool jacket on just a little bit," Gottfried said. "After about seven or eight minutes into the game I thought our defensive intensity really picked up."
The Spartans were paced by James Maye's 13 points in 31 minutes of action.
Alabama looks to set the school record home winning streak Saturday afternoon when St. Bonaventure comes to Coleman Coliseum. Tip-off for the game is set for 1:00 p.m.
