Alabama
Norfolk State
Men's Basketball Shuts Down Norfolk State, 68-49
1/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Alabama men's basketball team started the new year with a 68-49 win over Norfolk State on Saturday afternoon at Coleman Coliseum in its final non-conference game of the regular season. The Crimson Tide held the Spartans to just 25 percent shooting over the second half to take control of the game.
Senior guard Retin Obasohan finished matched his career high, going for a game-high 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the floor and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. The Antwerp, Belgium, native had a season-high four steals as he recorded third 20-point game of the season. Senior guard Arthur Edwards matched his career high with five three-point baskets to add 15 points, while sophomore Riley Norris came off the bench to record 10 points and eight boards.
Alabama put together an 8-0 run early in the game to take a 14-8 lead with 12:18 remaining before the break. Alabama used hot shooting throughout the opening stanza to take a 33-28 edge at halftime as six of the Tide's 10 made field goals were from beyond the arc (6-of-14). Obasohan scored 14 points in the opening 20 minutes, while junior forward Michael Kessens pulled down eight of his game-high nine rebounds.
Alabama, which improved to 9-3 during the non-conference portion of the schedule, outscored Norfolk State (5-10) 15-5 to start the second half, taking a 15-point lead at 48-23. Just over a minute later Alabama started a 16-3 run that would last seven-plus minutes and push the score to 64-38. The Tide cruised from there, capturing its 15th consecutive non-conference home victory at Coleman Coliseum.
The Tide's defense stepped up after the break. Obasohan recorded all four of his steals in the second half and the team forced eight turnovers overall. The game marks the first time the Tide has held a team to under 50 points since Feb. 4, 2015, when Alabama defeated Missouri 62-49.
Alabama won the battle of the boards, outrebounding Norfolk State, 36-29. The Tide finished the contest shooting 46 percent from the field (22-of-48) and from beyond the arc (11-of-24), while converting 13-of-17 free throws (76.5 percent).
Jeff Short scored 16 points for the Spartans. D'Shon Taylor and Preston Bungei each added eight. Jordan Butler led Norfolk State with eight boards.
The Tide will begin Southeastern Conference play on the road on Thursday, Jan. 7, when it travels to Oxford to take on Ole Miss, which will mark the debut game in the Rebels' brand new basketball facility -- the Pavilion at Ole Miss. The contest will tip off at 8 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
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