Bama wins season opener

Sports

Discussion

November 10, 2012

Bama wins season opener

By Austin Bishop / Special to The Star The Meridian Star The Meridian Star Sat Nov 10, 2012, 06:00 AM CST

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. —     Trevor Lacey drained a long-distance 3-pointer as time expired on Friday night to give the University of Alabama a dramatic 70-67 season-opening win against visiting South Dakota State at Coleman Coliseum.

   The Crimson Tide trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half, but in the end it was perfect free throw shooting, strong bench play, and smothering full-court pressure defensively that gave Alabama a chance to win at the end.

   The final play of the game was set for Rodney Cooper, but wound up in the hands of Lacey who knocked it down with a defender in his face.

   "As soon as it left his hand I knew it was going in," Cooper said. "I was confident he was going to make the shot."

   "He made a heck of a play," Alabama head coach Anthony Grant said of Lacey's shot.

   "It was a big time shot and certainly a great way for us to begin the season."

   While the big shot at the end won the game, it was a tough defensive effort that turned the game around.

   "Their defense just really took us out of the game offensively," said South Dakota State head coach Scott Nagy. "We should have been able to handle their pressure better than we did. We have too many experienced players to play like they are inexperienced."

   The Tide victory spoiled an amazing game by South Dakota State senior guard Nate Wolters, who hit on 5-of-6 shots from behind the 3-point arc to pump in 30 points.

   "He's a great player and we knew that," Grant said. "I'm just glad we had the ball last."

   While Wolters was lighting it up from long range for the Jackrabbits, junior guard Trevor Releford was doing his damage for the Crimson Tide by slicing through the S.D. State defense.

   He finished the night with 18 points, most coming on drives to the goal.

   "He's like a running back," Nagy said of the 6-foot, 195-pound Releford. "He sees the hole and goes to the goal and you can't get him closed down."

   "He's a good player," Wolters said of Releford. "I've seen him play before on TV. He's really quick and hard to guard."

   Releford finished the night with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the floor, while knocking down all six of his free throws. As a team, 'Bama was 14-of-14 from the free throw line.

   Lacey had a solid night as well, with 15 points, including the game-winner. Rodney Coopery scored 17 points, while Andrew Steele had 11.

   Releford and Steele led a tremendous effort by Alabama's bench, which outscored SDSU 33-8.

   Former Kemper County standout Devonta Pollard got the start for the Tide and recorded both of his blocks in the first half, but was unable to score in 14 minutes of play.

   "He's going to be fine," Grant said. "This was a tough game for a freshman to play his first game in. He gave us some solid minutes (14), but we in this game we just felt the veterans gave us a better chance to win."

   Next up for Alabama is a 5 p.m. home game against the University of West Alabama on Sunday.

Text Only

Sports

Title Fever
For the Newton County Cougars, their final game of the season couldn’t be bigger: state title or bust.
They forced a Game 3 in the Class 4A championship series with a 2-1 win over Lewisburg in 10 innings on Thursday night at Trustmark Park.

May 25, 2013 1 Photo
Saints' Rob Ryan Ready for defensive challenges
May 24, 2013
Sanchez flirts with no-hitter in win
May 24, 2013
East Central names Mays offensive coordinator
Mickey Mays was recently named offensive coordinator at East Central Community College in Decatur, announced head football coach Ken Karcher.
Mays is a former assistant to Coach Karcher, having served on his Liberty University staff as defensive line coach and special teams coordinator.

May 24, 2013
(PHOTOS) Newton County Class 4A State Championship Slideshow from games one and two of the MHSAA Class 4A State Championship.
May 24, 2013
Not done yet
After being shutout less than 24 hours earlier, the Newton County Cougars used a 10-inning affair to force a Game 3 in the Class 4A championship series, topping Lewisburg, 2-1, in Game 2 at Trustmark Park.

May 23, 2013 1 Photo
Hollins focused on Spurs, not his contract
Lionel Hollins has been more successful than any Grizzlies coach and will be a free agent after June 30.
He has the Grizzlies in the Western Conference finals for the first time and has won more games with this team than any other coach.

May 23, 2013
Slive focused on future after big changes
Mike Slive sprawls in a comfy arm chair, propping his feet on a coffee table between one massive tome on Winston Churchill and an even thicker "Encyclopedia of Southern Culture."
He's relaxed and feeling awfully good about the state of the Southeastern Conference.
It's a rare moment of calm for the SEC's cerebral commissioner, but he can afford it since his "A pile" of things to do has gotten considerably slimmer over the past two years.

May 23, 2013
’Bama bounces Ole Miss from SEC Tourney
For the second day in a row, the Rebels went into extra-innings but were unable to emerge with the victory as No. 21 Ole Miss (37-22) fell to Alabama (34-25) 7-5 in 10 innings at the SEC Tournament on Thursday.
With the loss, the Rebels were eliminated from the SEC Tournament and will now await NCAA Tournament selection announcements at 11 a.m. on Monday. The selection of the NCAA Tournament field will be televised by ESPNU.
Tanner Bailey (4-2) suffered the loss for the Rebels, allowing two runs on one hit with two walks in 2.1 innings of work.

May 23, 2013
Roy shows big-league talent in win
Every youth leaguer dreams of being a Major League Baseball player. In Tuesday's Cardinals-Mets game, 8-year-old Trace Roy swung the bat and flashed some leather that looked like a glimpse into the future.

May 23, 2013 2 Photos
More Sports Headlines

Sports

Search Results

Discussion

Bama wins season opener

Site Map

Contact Us