Tide Takes Out Rebels, 76-67
2/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By: Tyler Roberts
UA Media Relations
TUSCALOOSA- The University of Alabama basketball team (14-11, 3-7 SEC) took down the Mississippi Rebels (17-6, 3-6 SEC), 76-67, Wednesday night at Coleman Coliseum. The Tide led by as many as fourteen points in the second half but needed some big shots and clutch free throws to sew up the win.
“I am very proud of our guys,” head coach Mark Gottfried said. “We had a good team win. We had a lot of guys score, and this game was one of our best defensive efforts. A lot of guys stepped up, and I am proud of our team overall. They did such a nice job.”
Five Tide players scored in double figures led by Mykal Riley with 22 points. Riley knocked down five threes including the dagger with 1:19 left to put Alabama up by eight, 70-62, and seal the victory.
Alonzo Gee gave the Tide 12 points and nine rebounds while Richard Hendrix, Brandon Hollinger and Mikhail Torrance each chipped in 10 points.
Alabama also got solid contributions from frontcourt reserves Yamen Coleman and Justin Knox who combined for 10 points and 10 rebounds to help take some of the pressure off of Hendrix in his first game back after missing the Kentucky game due to illness.
Alabama and Ole Miss struggled shooting the ball from the field as both teams finished at 37 percent for the game. The Tide did knock down 75 percent (24-32) from the free-throw line, including 9-10 in the final three minutes, compared to 59 percent (13-22) for the Rebels.
“It was very important for us (to make our free throws) because we’ve been struggling with that for the whole year,” Gee said. “We put a lot of time into it in practice, working on free throws. It’s paying off.”
Alabama led by as many as 11 points in the first half before taking a 32-28 lead into break. Ole Miss took a 2-0 lead to start the game, but quickly relinquished that lead and never led again for the entire game. Riley gave the Tide eight points and seven rebounds in the first frame.
Chris Warren and David Huertas headed the Rebels scoring attack, finishing with 13 points apiece. Zach Graham added 10 points and six rebounds for Ole Miss.
The Tide will hit the road again for its next contest against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, February 16. The game will air on Fox Sports Network and is scheduled to tip off at 6:00 p.m.
