Alabama Takes Down Auburn, 73-57
The Alabama men's basketball team got off to a strong start against in-state rival Auburn and never let up, rolling to a 73-57 win over the Tigers. Junior guard Levi Randoph had another big night, pouring in 24 points while grabbing a team-high nine rebounds.
“Obviously anytime our teams get together there is going to be a lot of emotion and a lot of passion,” UA head coach Anthony Grant said. “You could feel that from the very beginning. I thought our guys responded really well and were able to build a little bit of a lead. I thought defensively we really set the tone and were able to get out in transition.”
Alabama went on a 20-4 run in the first half to go up 29-12 after a made three-point shot by sophomore guard Retin Obasohan. It was one of six three-pointers the Tide made in the first half, which ties a season-high. Alabama went into the half leading 36-21. The 21 points UA allowed the Tigers was the lowest of the season.
Randolph’s 24 points came on 6-of-11 (54.5 percent) shooting from the field, including 4-of-6 (66.7 percent) from behind the three-point line. After having only one 20-plus point performance in his first 94 games for the Tide, he’s posted two in his last three games.
Obasohan had 13 points including going 2-of-3 from behind the three-point line. Collectively, the Crimson Tide hit 10 three-point shots which ties a season-high.
Releford had a season-high seven assists, a team-high three steals, and 16 points. He extended his streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games to 30 while also moving into sixth place on UA’s all-time scoring list with 1,825 points, passing James “Hollywood” Robinson (1991-93). He’s now 36 points shy of Jerry Harper (1953-56) for fifth all-time.
With the win, Grant moves to 7-3 against Auburn, including a 5-0 mark against the Tigers in Coleman Coliseum.
Auburn was led by KT Harrell’s 21 points and was the only player to score in double-figures for the Tigers. SEC leading scorer Chris Denson, who scored 32 points in the first match-up between the two teams, finished with six points on 2-of-15 shooting from the floor.
Alabama returns to action Tuesday night when it plays its final road game of the regular season, traveling to Lexington to square off at No. 17/16 Kentucky. The game will tipoff at 8 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPN.
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