ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Dazon Ingram had a game-high 20 points Friday night to lead the Alabama men’s basketball team to an 82-70 victory against Memphis in the Veteran’s Classic on the campus of the United States Naval Academy.
Donta Hall had his first double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds) and five blocked shots in the season opener for both teams.
Alabama used a 27-8 run in an eight-minute span in the second half to take a 68-51 lead with 7 minutes, 37 seconds to play and never looked back. The stretch featured a 16-4 run that saw the Tide sink four consecutive 3-pointers, bookended by a pair of dunks by Hall and freshman Galin Smith.
Alabama played without three players who were out due to injuries and freshman Collin Sexton, who was serving a one-game suspension the NCAA.
Alabama will play host to Lipscomb at 7 p.m. Tuesday (SEC Network) at Coleman Coliseum.
n In related news, Sexton and Braxton Key were second-team picks Friday to the Southeastern Conference Coaches Preseason All-SEC team.
Alabama was one of six schools — Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Texas A&M — with two players on the list.
Sexton, who is from Mableton, Georgia, was named first-team preseason All-SEC by the media. He also has been named to the watch lists for the Cousy Award, Oscar Robertson Trophy, and the Naismith Trophy.
Key, a sophomore forward, earned SEC All-Freshman honors a year ago after leading the Crimson Tide in scoring (12.0 points per game) and minutes (29.8) per game.
Women
n Alabama 90, Alabama A&M 32: Freshman Ariyah Copeland had 16 points and 15 rebounds off the bench Friday to lead the Crimson Tide in the season opener for both teams.
“I loved our crowd,” Alabama coach Kristy Curry said. “That was definitely the best home opening crowd we have had, especially on a Friday night before everyone heads to Starkville (for football).
“Our men were on TV, and I know there were a lot of folks watching that pregame, but congratulations to coach Avery (Johnson) and his guys on a great win over a very good Memphis team. I loved our energy, effort and passion. One word we talked about is consistency, and we can handle anything that happens when we have that kind of energy, enthusiasm and passion about our actions.”
Ashley Williams added 16 points, while Hannah Cook had 14 points and a career-high six steals. Meoshonti Knight had 10 points.
Alabama forced 31 turnovers and held Alabama A&M to 25-percent shooting.
Ashley Knight had seven blocked shots to bring her career total to 97.
Alabama will play host to Utah at 7 p.m. Monday (SEC Network+).
n In related news, Alabama signed seven to its 2018 class, coach Kristy Curry announced Thursday. The Crimson Tide’s 2018 class, which is ranked No. 6 by Blue Star Basketball Report, includes Megan Abrams, Hannah Barber, De’Sha Benjamin, Gabrielle “Gabby” Crawford, Allie Craig Cruce, Cierra Johnson, and Taniyah Worth.
“This is a special, four-state class that is, by far, the deepest and most talented that we have signed,” Curry said. “We feel like the experiences they bring from winning state championships to competing on the biggest stage in the summer will allow them to be an immediate impact. The people and talent in this class are just a great example of where the program is headed.”
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