Bama Hoops Rolls At Home Against Ole Miss, 71-45
2/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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Box Score
By Matt Hooper, UA Media Relations
TUSCALOOSA - Kennedy Winston scored 22 points and Alabama turned in another dominating performance on the glass, defeating the Ole Miss Rebels, 71-45, Saturday night at Coleman Coliseum.
The win improves the Tide's record to 19-4 overall and 8-2 in Southeastern Conference play. It also marks the third consecutive time that Alabama has held a conference team to less than 50 points at home. Ole Miss falls to 12-12 overall, 3-8 in SEC play.
Alabama exploded out of the gate in the second half, expanding their 10-point halftime lead to 21 points midway through the period, spurred on by the spirited play of Jean Felix and Evan Brock. Brock's emphatic slam dunk capped off a Tide fast-break with just over 13 minutes left in the half, energizing the Crimson faithful and setting off a 25-9 Alabama run.
"Tonight it was Evan Brock," Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried said. "He got some offensive rebounds and just gave us a spark."
Alabama dominated the boards once again, out-rebounding the Rebels 37 to 23. Chuck Davis paced the Tide with eight rebounds, all on the defensive end. Davis also hounded the Rebels' shooters inside, swatting five shots. Alabama as a team blocked nine shots, while Ole Miss did not record a block.
"I really like the way we defended," Gottfried said. "Our team is taking a lot of pride right now in our defense."
That defense, which effectively pressed the Rebels in the second half, held Ole Miss to just 32 percent shooting from the field. Alabama shot better than 56 percent from the floor in the first half, and 59 percent in the second half.
"We wanted to speed up the tempo," Alabama forward Kennedy Winston said. "We didn't settle for jump shots, we tried to get to the rack."
Winston's 22 points led all scorers. Chuck Davis added 15 points and Earnest Shelton chipped in 13. Freshman Ronald Steele scored eight points and added six assists.
The Rebels' Justin Johnson scored 11 points to lead Ole Miss. Jermey Parnell was the only other visitor to score in double-digits, adding 10 points.
Alabama plays host to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Wednesday, Feb. 16. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. and will be televised by Jefferson Pilot Sports.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Evan Brock provided a spark off the bench tonight for the Tide.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Evan Brock jams one home on a breakaway.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Former Tide point guard Gary Waites, who led the SEC in assists as a sophomore and helped power Alabama to back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16 appearances in 1990 and 1991, was honored. He'll be inducted as a 2005 SEC Legend at the SEC Tournament in March.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
A Bama cheerleader gets the fans fired up during a timeout.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Jermareo Davidson and Jean Felix work hard under the basket.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Jermareo Davidson fights for position under the basket.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Chuck Davis puts up a shot off the glass for two.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Jean Felix makes an athletic move to the basket.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Coach Mark Gottfried signals in a play.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
The Tide huddles up during a timeout to discuss strategy.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Earnest Shelton and Chuck Davis fight for two points.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Ronald Steele plays tight defense on an Ole Miss passer.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Lucky Williams drives into the lane.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Kennedy Winston plays tough defense against the Rebels.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Kennedy Winston fights to get into the lane and create a shot.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
