After a huge opening night win against Louisiana Tech on Wednesday, the Crimson Tide men’s basketball team was back in action on Friday evening, looking for another statement win against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at home.

 

The Crimson Tide started the game off aggressive, forcing turnovers and moving the ball around; then, started playing sloppy-ball four minutes into the game. The Jackrabbits went up 16-14; however, the Tide went on a 9-0 run, with help from G Keon Ellis, scoring 5 points, and never looked back.

Forward Juwan Gary exited the game with 6 minutes left to go in the first half with an apparent leg injury.

 

Alabama kept their lead going into half 41-38, with two factors on its side: controlling the clock- keeping its leads for 13 minutes of play, and offensive rebounds- giving the Tide 13 second chance points. Quinerly and Miles both led the team’s scoring with 9 points each. Ellis had 9 rebounds.

 

The Crimson Tide roared out of halftime, going on a 10-2 run giving the Tide its first double-digit lead of the game, dominating on both sides of the ball.

The Jackrabbits tried to come back, cutting its deficit to 7 with 10 minutes to go in the game, but couldn’t keep up with this multidimensional Crimson Tide team, capitalizing on 26 second chance points, and 56 points on the paint. 

“It’s good we can get a win,” said Alabama head coach Nate Oats. “Offensively we looked pretty good tonight, defensively we have a long way to go. Good thing is we have a lot of time to work on it.”

The Crimson Tide beat the Jackrabbits 104-88. Guards Jaden Quinerly led the team with 26 points; Shackelford with 23 points and team-leading 8 assists; and Ellis 15 points and team-leading 15 rebounds.

“We have to do a better job with transition (defense) and guarding the three point line,” said Oats.

The Tide hosts South Alabama on Tuesday, November 15, 2021, at 6:30 PM CST, on SEC Network +. 

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