TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Junior forward JaMychal Green scored 16 points and had 15 rebounds, notching his second consecutive double-double of the season, to lead the University of Alabama men”s basketball team (5-5) to a 59-38 win against Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday at Coleman Coliseum.
Freshman point guard Trevor Releford scored 10 points and had three assists, while senior guards Senario Hillman and Charvez Davis each had eight points to help the Crimson Tide improve to 5-5.
“I thought it was a great effort by our guys,” Alabama coach Anthony Grant said. “Southeastern Louisiana is a very dangerous shooting team. I thought our guys did a great job taking away the three-point line in the first half and the ones that they did get were somewhat rushed.”
The Crimson Tide held Southeastern Louisiana (5-3) to a season-low 20.3 percent (12-of-59) shooting, including just 12.5 percent (4-of-32) in the second half. The 38 points by the Lions were the second-fewest of the Anthony Grant era, tying the 38 points allowed versus LSU on Jan. 27, 2010, in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide allowed a season-low 37 points versus Florida A&M in the season opener.
“We are fortunate when you look at what they are capable of,” Grant said. “To hold them 20 percent from the field and 22 percent from the 3-point line, those are major numbers.”
Green added three assists and two blocked shots in addition. Since returning from a three-game suspension, Green has averaged 15.5 points and 13.5 rebounds.
“Coach Grant has been preaching to me all week to be aggressive,” Green said, “so I just try to be aggressive on the floor when I get the ball in the paint and try to make the best of it.”
After taking a 36-23 halftime lead, Alabama opened the second half on a 7-0 run to take a 43-23 advantage less than four minutes into the half. Davis opened the scoring with a 3-pointer and Green followed with back-to-back baskets. The Crimson Tide maintained an advantage of at least 15 points throughout the remainder of the half, expanding the lead to as much as 23.
Alabama hit six of its first eight shots (including 3 of 3 from beyond the arc) in building a 15-3 lead in the first 5 minutes, 25 seconds. Freshman guard/forward Charles Hankerson, Jr. led the way in the early going with five points. Green led Alabama with 10 points and nine rebounds in the first half, while Hankerson, Jr. added seven points.
Alabama will take on Oklahoma State on Saturday in Oklahoma City before returning home to play host to Lipscomb on Tuesday at Coleman Coliseum.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.