Alabama
Wichita State
Men's Basketball Falls to Wichita State in NIT Championship
3/31/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 31, 2011
NEW YORK - The Alabama men's basketball team fell to the Wichita State Shockers in the championship game of the National Invitation Tournament, 66-57, Thursday at Madison Square Garden. The Crimson Tide finished its season at 25-12, earning the program's most victories since the 2001-02 season.
Sophomore forward Tony Mitchell notched his fifth double-double of the season, scoring 13 points to go along with 10 rebounds, while junior forward JaMychal Green, plagued by foul trouble for most of the second half, scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Senior guard Charvez Davis and freshman guard Trevor Releford each scored 10 points for Alabama. Both Green and Releford were named to the All-NIT team following their efforts over UA's five-game tournament run.
Trailing 37-34 at halftime, the Crimson Tide fought back over the first five minutes of the half to take a 41-40 lead before Wichita State used an 11-2 run to pull in front 51-43 at the 9:25 mark. Alabama slowly cut into the margin, pulling within four with 5:51 remaining. However, the Shockers utilized an 11-1 run to put the game out of reach in the closing minutes.
