Alabama
Arkansas
Men's Basketball Beats Arkansas, 88-67
2/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 25, 2009
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery 
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama basketball team (15-12, 5-8 SEC) won its second consecutive game with a decisive 88-67 victory over Arkansas (13-13, 1-12 SEC) at Coleman Coliseum Wednesday evening.
All eleven Crimson Tide players scored in the contest with four players reaching double figures in Alabama's largest win in Southeastern Conference play since beating Auburn by 41 in the 2004-05 season.
After earning Southeastern Conference Player of the Week honors last week, senior Alonzo Gee came up with another stellar performance, scoring 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds in just 28 minutes of action.
Gee did most of his damage in the first half, drilling his first five shots from three-point range en route to 17 points prior to the break. The Riviera beach, Fla. native played only 10 minutes in the second half and did not attempt a three, but his five treys in the first half were a new career high.
"It was a great feeling," Gee said. "I have to thank my teammates Senario Hillman and Mikhail Torrance. They both got me great looks, and it just felt great to make shots. After I made that first shot I knew I was going to have a good night. My teammates did a great job of getting me the ball."
Sophomore Senario Hillman dished out a career-high seven assists and added 13 points. Junior Yamene Coleman had a big night with 12 points on a perfect 6-6 shooting from the field while junior Mikhail Torrance chipped in 10 points to round out the double figure scorers for Alabama.
"I think Yamene Coleman did a nice job for us tonight," head coach Philip Pearson said. "He and I talked on Monday about this being a game where we would try some things for him that we've been wanting to do. He got in there and made several nice plays and finished nicely around the basket."
Alabama held a big edge on the boards, out-rebounding the Razorbacks 41-26. The Tide also got huge production off the bench with 31 points from its reserve players compared to just 12 by Arkansas.
Coleman threw down a thunderous dunk to conclude a dominant first half by Alabama that gave the Tide a 49-23 lead entering the break. Alabama ended the frame on a 12-0 run after already ripping off a 20-2 spurt earlier in the period.
The Tide controlled the action on both ends of the floor, holding Arkansas to 28 percent shooting while knocking down a blistering 64 percent of its own shots in the first. The Razorbacks never got within 20 points in the second half.
"Our guys did a great job in the first half," Pearson said. "The whole key was that we guarded and defended them well. That allowed us to get the ball down the floor. Alonzo Gee and some other guys stepped up, made plays and made some shots. We were confident and comfortable."
Courtney Fortson led Arkansas with 21 points, and Rotnei Clarke knocked down four shots from deep and added 16 for the Razorbacks.
Alabama travels to Oxford, Miss. to take on Mississippi on Saturday, Feb. 28. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT and the game will be televised by Raycom.
