TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Freshmen Dazon Ingram and Braxton Key took turns firing up shots for the Alabama men’s basketball team on Wednesday night.
Fortunately, nearly all of them went in to help the Crimson Tide improve their chances for a NCAA tournament berth.
Ingram scored a season-high 22 points, Key added 19 s Alabama took control down the stretch in a 70-55 victory against Ole Miss.
“Those two guys showed that man, when they’re on their game, that takes us to another level,” Alabama coach Avery Johnson said. “That’s why we scored 70 points as opposed to 52.”
Alabama (17-12, 10-7 Southeastern Conference) rebounded from two close losses when it failed to top 55 points to cool off Ole Miss (18-12, 9-8), which had been averaging 86.6 points in its last five games and was making a late push toward earning an NCAA tournament bid.
Ingram, who redshirted after an injury last season, was 9 of 10 from the floor with two 3-pointers. Key made 7 of 11 shots and had seven rebounds and five assists.
“Those were the two guys that were the keys coming in,” Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy said. “We knew that when they needed offense they really go through those guys, and those guys delivered.”
Bola Olaniyan had 10 rebounds for the Crimson Tide.
Breein Tyree led Ole Miss with 14 points. Terence Davis had 10 of his 12 points in the second half. Sebastian Saiz had 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds. He rocked Alabama for 21 points and 16 rebounds in a game last season.
“Saiz was a major part of our scouting report,” Johnson said. “He manhandled us down at Ole Miss last year.”
Coming off a 28-point effort against Missouri for Ole Miss, Deandre Burnett was held to two points and missed all seven of his attempts from the floor. Marcanvis Hymon fouled out with seven rebounds.
Ole Miss cut a 13-point deficit to 54-49 on Tyree’s 3-pointer with 7 minutes, 39 seconds left. Ingram answered with a 3-pointer from the left corner and the Rebels didn’t come as close again, failing to make a shot in the final 3:35. They missed nine of their last 10 shots after ending the first half similarly cold. Ole Miss missed its last eight shots and 13 of 14 to end the first half. It shot 31.1 percent (19 of 61) from the field.
The victory helped Alabama take sole possession of fifth place in the SEC. The Crimson Tide shot 14 of 26 (53.8 percent) from the field in the second half. They blocked seven shots, including three by Jimmie Taylor.
Alabama honored senior forwards Taylor and Olaniyan and guard Corban Collins before the game. Olaniyan and Collins are graduate transfers. Shannon Hale is also a senior, but he is on indefinite suspension.
“We talked about not only sending our seniors out with a bang but also giving our fans who have hung in with us all year something to some appreciation” Johnson said. “Something I drilled in (our players’) heads the last two days was I don’t want to hear any excuses. I’m glad that our fans have hung with us all year long, and we really appreciate it. The game ball goes to our seniors, but, also went to our new athletic director, Greg Byrne, who we brought it into the locker room. We made sure the players knew who he was and told them how excited we are to have him and his family a part of our family.”
Alabama will play Tennessee at noon Saturday (SEC Network) in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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