Inside the Box Score - at Auburn
2/8/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 8, 2012
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Player of the Game
Charles Hankerson, Jr., had his second straight strong performance with 14 points, the second most of his career on 5-of-9 shooting. Just eight days after knee surgery he hit three straight three-pointers, a career-high, in the first half to help UA take a 35-24 lead into the locker room. His 14 points came in just 23 minutes of action and during those 23 minutes, UA held a 47-15 advantage over the Tigers. That 32-point scoring differential is the biggest of the season for Hankerson and the biggest enjoyed by a UA player this season.
Turning Point of the Game
With 2:15 left to play in the first half, Auburn was assessed its second technical foul of the game after it had pulled back within three points on a dunk. UA converted on the two free throws to nullify the Auburn basket and went to close the half on an 8-0 run to take an 11-point lead into halftime. During that span, Auburn missed both of its shots from the field and committed two turnovers while Alabama converted on both of its attempts from the floor courtesy of Andrew Steele assists and was 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.
Stat of the Game
Alabama scored 26 points off of turnovers, its second highest total of the season and the highest in an SEC game. UA's defense forced Auburn to turn the ball over on 29.7 percent of its possessions, the second highest percentage by an opponent this season and the second highest of the season for Auburn.
Top Lineup
Alabama used 14 different lineups in the contest with 10 of them outscoring or playing Auburn even. The Tide's most productive lineup came in the form of Trevor Releford, Charles Hankerson, Jr., Nick Jacobs, JaMychal Green and Andrew Steele as the five outscored Auburn 14-3 during the 5:34 they were on the court together.
Additional Notes
- The win was Alabama's fourth straight over Auburn and improved the Tide to 26-26 all-time at Auburn and 2-0 in Auburn Arena.
- UA improved to 88-56 all-time against Auburn.
- Alabama's bench scored 28 points and the reserves have averaged 28.2 points per game in the last four games.
- UA also held a 28-18 advantage in points in the paint. Only one of UA's 23 opponents has outscored UA in the paint.
- Alabama's six three-pointers were its third most of the season and 42.9 percent showing from the arc was the second best of the season.
- Alabama had 11 steals for its seventh game with 10 or more steals this season.
- UA forced 21 turnovers, the second most by an opponent this season.
- Andrew Steele matched a career high with six assists. In the last three games, he has 14 assists and a 7-to-1 assist to turnover ratio.
- Auburn became the 15th opponent to score less than 60 points against the Tide. UA is 12-3 in those games this season.
- Alabama held Auburn to 0.74 points per possession, the lowest by a UA opponent in an SEC game this season.
- The 18-point margin of victory was the biggest since UA defeated LSU by 24 points last season.
- Carl Engstrom recorded a career-high four points.
- After converting on seven of its first 10 shots, Auburn managed to make just 10 of its final 31 attempts.
- Auburn's 41 field goal attempts tied for a season low and the lowest of the season by a UA opponent. - Frankie Sullivan became just the seventh opponent to score 20 or more points against UA with 21 points.
Auburn +/- Report
Hankerson +32
Cooper +13
Steele +13
Green +11
Releford +10
Eblen +8
Jacobs +7
Engstrom +4
Lacey +4
Randolph -12
