Alabama Defeats Stillman 69-49

The Alabama Men's Basketball team improved to 7-3 on the season by defeating cross-town opponent Stillman College 69-49 at Coleman Coliseum.  Starting guards Rodney Cooper and Ricky Tarrant did not play in the game.  Instead, freshmen Riley Norris and Devin Mitchell made their first starts for the Crimson Tide.  With fellow freshman Justin Coleman starting at point guard, this was the first time since February 11th, 2012 that three freshmen started a game for Alabama.  According to head coach Anthony Grant, Cooper and Tarrant were held out for rest.

The game was all Alabama from the start. Though the Tide did not shoot the ball particularly well in the 1st half (just 35.7% from the floor), Stillman was unable to make any kind of serious run of their own.  Alabama had a comfortable 34-21 lead at halftime that only grew in the 2nf half as the Tide improve to 50% shooting after the break.  Fouls were an issue for Alabama as three Tide players (Retin Obasohan, Michael Kessens and Riley Norris) had four personal fouls each.  The Tide were in the penalty for much of both halves.

Scoring for Alabama was a pretty even affair as the Tide had five players reach double figures.  Justin Coleman led all scorers with 14 points, while Norris, Levi Randolph and Shannon Hale all had 13. Jimmie Taylor had 12 points and also led the Tide in rebounds with 9.

This was the first of a five-game homestand for the Crimson Tide at Coleman Coliseum.  Next up for Alabama is Appalachian State this Sunday at 5:30 pm CT.  The following Sunday, December 28th, is when UCLA comes to town.  After missing out on opportunities to defeat Iowa State and Wichita State, the Tide really need to take down the Bruins to significantly improve their chances of making the NCAA Tournament.  The Tide then plays North Florida on January 2nd before starting SEC play on the 6th against Texas A&M.