PITTSBURGH — Avery Johnson has spent plenty of time trying to convince Alabama freshman Collin Sexton to take ownership of his play and the men’s basketball team, a message the coach has repeated frequently during the Crimson Tide’s uneven season.
The fact it took Sexton to embrace Johnson’s message until March hardly matters.
“(Sexton’s) giving more speeches to our team, which is showing leadership,” Johnson said.
Sexton shook off a shaky and foul-marred first half to score 21 of his team-high 24 points in the second half to lead No. 9 seed Alabama to an 86-83 victory against No. 8 seed Virginia Tech in the first round of the NCAA tournament Thursday night.
“The coaches prepare us for stuff like this,” Sexton said. “They do so many hours of film, and they tell us all the answers to the test.”
The proof came during the second half.
Sexton was 6 of 10 from the field and 10 of 14 free throws in the final 20 minutes, including a jumper that got a friendly bounce off the back of the rim and a turnaround that gave the Crimson Tide a bit of breathing room in a game that featured 10 lead changes and never saw either club go in front by more than seven points.
No. 9 seed Alabama will face No. 1 seed Villanova, which defeated No. 16 Radford, in the East Region’s second round at 11:20 a.m. Saturday (WCBI).
Alabama needed Sexton, freshman backcourt mate John Petty, and a surge in defensive intensity late in the game to reach the round 32 for the first time since 2006.
Sexton and Petty were in elementary school back then. Now they’re the centerpiece of Johnson’s dynamic attack with the Crimson Tide (20-15). Alabama shot 60 percent (30 of 50) from the field. Petty, mired in a serious slump near the end of the regular season, finished with 20 points while making six of eight 3-pointers, including three in the first half to help the Crimson Tide hang around until Sexton got going.
“When I get in that type of mode, I feel like no one can stop me from shooting the ball,” Petty said. “I always have my eyes locked on my target and I’m going to hit it.”
Point guard Justin Robinson led Virginia Tech (21-12) with 19 points, but he fouled out after being whistled for a charge with 48 seconds remaining and Virginia Tech down 78-74. Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams received a technical foul after erupting in frustration. Sexton made 1 of 2 free throws and then added two more on Alabama’s ensuing possession to give the Crimson Tide enough of a cushion.
“I shouldn’t have had a towel in my hand,” Williams said. “That made it look worse.”
The bigger issue for Virginia Tech was an inability to keep Alabama in check. The Hokies forced 17 turnovers but couldn’t slow down Petty and had trouble whenever Sexton got into the lane. Alabama made 20 of 30 2-point shots, including 11 of 14 in the second half.
Junior Donta Hall had 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the field, and sophomore Dazon Ingram had nine points, seven rebounds, and four assists for Alabama.
“Virginia Tech shot the ball extremely well in the first half from the 3-point line,” Johnson said. “We couldn’t guard them from three. We had some breakdowns, but those mistakes were correctable. We did a much better job defending them from the 3-point line in the second half.
“Our preparation for this game was extremely well, and it was primarily because of their leadership. Obviously, we’re glad, happy, that we’re advancing. We came here to advance. We didn’t come here to just show up. But give Virginia Tech a lot of credit for a hard-fought game. But also I’m really proud of our guys for battling a lot of adversity tonight on the court.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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