Bama Men's Basketball Defeats No. 15 Wisconsin, 71-56
12/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Chris Woodfin
Tuscaloosa, Ala.—Sophomore Chuck Davis scored a career high 21 points, including 15 in the second half, to lead the University of Alabama men's basketball team (8-2) to a 71-56 upset victory over the No.15 (ESPN/USA Today)/No. 18 (AP) Wisconsin Badgers (8-2) at Coleman Coliseum. The victory improves the Crimson Tide to 1-1 against ranked teams for the season and moves Alabama's home winning streak to nine games.
With the Tide trailing 34-33 less than a minute into the second half, Davis keyed a 20-6 Alabama run to give Bama a 53-40 lead with 9:17 remaining in the game. The Selma native scored 14 of Alabama's 20 points over that span as the Tide took advantage of the Badgers in the paint.
Alabama blistered the nets in the second half, shooting 59.1 percent (13-22) from the floor and held the Badgers to only 34.8 percent (8-23) in breaking the game open.
The Tide extended its lead to as high as 19 points when Earnest Shelton drained a three pointer with 3:48 remaining in the contest.
Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried was happy with the Tide's effort.
"That was fun," Gottfried said. "I am proud of our guys. For our young guys to beat a team like Wisconsin, you are talking about back-to-back Big Ten champs, what a great effort."
In addition to Davis's career night, Shelton scored 20 points and Kennedy Winston added 12 to pace Alabama. Shelton's 20 marked the fifth time in the last eight games that he has reached the mark. Winston has scored in double figures in nine straight games.
Gottfried was particularly proud of the trio of Davis, Shelton and Winston.
"I thought Chuck Davis was a handful for them (Wisconsin)," Gottfried said. "Earnest Shelton hit some big shots and Kennedy Winston, not only did he make some big shots, he made some great passes that led to baskets."
Wisconsin was lead by Big Ten preseason player of the year Devin Harris who scored 22 points.
Alabama returns to action Saturday as it travels to Cincinnati, Ohio to take on Xavier. Tip off for the contest is set for 2:30 P.M. CST. The game will be televised by ESPN and can be heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network.
