Kentucky Ends Tide Home Winning Streak, 63-46
1/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Chris Woodfin
The No.8 ranked (AP) Kentucky Wildcats (15-3, 5-0) smothering defense was too tough for the Tide to handle as the Cats defeated the No. 15 (AP) University of Alabama men's basketball team (12-5, 2-4) 63-46 in front of a sellout crowd at Coleman Coliseum. The loss snaps Alabama's school record home winning streak at 28.
The Wildcats were relentless in their defensive pressure holding the Tide to only five field goals in each half. For the game the Tide was held to 24 percent (10-42) shooting from the field while Kentucky nailed 43 percent (22-51) of their shots.
Emmett Thomas led the way offensively for Alabama. The Birmingham native scored 13 points and hit a pair of three-pointers.
Erwin Dudley and Kenny Walker dominated the boards for Alabama. Dudley collected a game high 12 rebounds while Walker picked up 10. The Tide held a 36-32 rebounding edge on the Wildcats.
The Cats were led by the trio of Gerald Fitch, Marquis Estill and Keith Bogans. Fitch scored a game best 16 points, followed by both Bogans and Estill with 12 points apiece.
The Tide will take the week off before returning to action next Saturday when LSU comes to town. Tip-off for the game is set for 4:00 p.m. The game will be televised on SEC-TV and can be heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network.
