Alabama Athletics
Alabama Basketball Cruises to Decisive Victory at Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. — For once in the last month of games or so, University of Alabama men's basketball fans did not have to sweat it out in the final minutes.
After suffering a disappointing loss to Texas A&M on Wednesday night, the Crimson Tide (15-12, 7-7 SEC) bounced back in a huge way, defeating Ole Miss in dominating fashion, 103-78.
The victory over the over the Rebels in Oxford was the Crimson Tide's first since the 2008-2009 season.
"I thought our guys answered the bell after the game we had Wednesday," Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats said. "I thought they showed some leadership to get theirselves ready to play."
Ole Miss (13-14, 4-10 SEC) burst out to a 9-2 lead following a jumper by sophomore forward Blake Hinson. But, after that, the Crimson Tide proceeded to go on a 12-0 run to take the lead, which it never gave up.
At intermission, Alabama led 45-31 thanks to red-hot shooting and defense, which forced 13 Rebel turnovers.
In the opening 20 minutes, the Crimson Tide shot 18-of-33 from the field and 6-of-15 from three-point range. Crimson Tide sophomore guard Kira Lewis, Jr. hit all three of his shots from beyond the arc in the opening period.
"I thought they came out with a lot more energy," Oats said. "Our start to the game as the first half went along was really good."
Lewis finished with his second double-double of the season, scoring 17 points and dishing out 11 assists. The Huntsville, Ala. product had zero turnovers in 33 minutes of action.
Alabama continued knocking down shots at an efficient rate in the second half, even seeing its lead extend to as many as 20. But the defense began to slack at times, allowing the Rebels to make 12 of their first 16 shots from the field in the first 12 minutes of the half.
“The main thing was to hold the lead," Oats continued. "We’ve been in that situation before and we’ve lost the lead too many times this season — up 15 on Tennessee, up 12-0 on Arkansas, and up 21 at Florida and we lose all those games. So we got together in the second half and I told them, 'Guys, we are not losing this game, so go out and get some defensive stops.'"
Rebels coach Kermit Davis was ejected with 14:51 to go after receiving his second technical foul, forcing him to watch the reminder from the locker room.
"Give Alabama credit," Davis said. "They are a good offensive team, but that was the best I have seen them play defensively all season."
Crimson Tide guard John Petty Jr. came alive in the second half, scoring 14 of his 21 points and knocking down 4-of-5 from distance.
Over the final eight minutes of the final period, Alabama made eight of its final 10 shots, outscoring the Rebels 22-16 during that stretch, cruising to the 25-point victory.
"Defensively, we struggled a little bit in the second half," Oats said. "I did not think our defense was great, but our offense kept us in it, and we kept them [Ole Miss] at bay."
As a team, Alabama shot 37-of-66 from the field, 56.1 percent, and 13-of-29 from three.
The 103 points were the most scored in regulation by the Crimson Tide since 2002.
Lewis and Petty were not the only double-figure scorers for the Crimson Tide. Joining them was guard Jaden Shackelford with 17 points, and forwards Alex Reese and Javian Davis, who had 12 points each.
"I thought Kira was really good," Oats said. "But our offense, to have the scoring we got with five guys in double-figures, I thought we did a great job attacking their defense. They are one of the better defensive teams in the league."
Rebels senior guard Berlin Tyree scored a game-high 28 points, but fouled out of the game with 8;50 remaining. Junior guard Devonte Shuler dropped 21 points to go along with seven rebounds.
Crimson Tide junior wing Herbert Jones only scored four points, while grabbing four boards, but left an impression on Davis.
"Herb Jones is one of the most respected players in our league by the coaches," Davis said. "I am a huge fan of his because of everything he has been through."
Before the game, Davis told Oats that Jones is "everyone's hero."
The Crimson Tide will have the second leg of its Magnolia State tour on Tuesday night, when it faces off against Mississippi State in Starkville. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m, CT (SEC Network).
