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The Tuscaloosa News
Alabama basketball bounces back, puts away LSU for SEC road win with 109 points
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Alabama basketball bounces back, puts away LSU for SEC road win with 109 points
Alabama basketball needed a response after Wednesday. The season wasn't spiraling, and NCAA Tournament hopes weren't doomed, but the way the loss to Auburn went made it to where a good palette cleanser would be welcomed vs. LSU .
Another 100-point game vs. LSU did the trick. Defense was an issue at times, but the Crimson Tide 's offense proved electric in a 109-92 victory over the Tigers on Saturday.
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With the win, Alabama swept the regular-season series vs. LSU.
Here are observations and takeaways from the game between No. 16 Alabama (17-7, 9-2 SEC) and LSU (12-11, 4-6).
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Offensive showdown in first half for Alabama basketball
Anyone who likes a good defense battle might have been nauseated watching the first half, and truthfully, most of the game.
Both Alabama and LSU scored often and a lot. Both averaged about 1.3 points per possession before halftime, a clip that signaled plenty of scoring and not enough defense.
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The Crimson Tide especially had trouble limiting Will Baker . In the first half alone, he scored 22 points as he made 9 of 12 shots (2 of 3 from deep) to go with two free throws while grabbing three boards. He darn near scored at will.
But Alabama kept pace and then some, leading 49-46 at halftime. That was large part in thanks to draining triples. The Crimson Tide tallied nine 3-pointers before intermission, with Mark Sears knocking down two and Latrell Wrightsell making three. Nick Pringle was also a key piece early with an efficient nine points in eight minutes. He also grabbed three boards and had an assist.
Despite the strong start offensively, Alabama finished the first half 1-for-10, allowing LSU to draw close to a lead that reached 47-37 at one point.
Latrell Wrightsell Jr. clutch from deep and has double-double
When Alabama needed plays, Wrightsell frequently obliged. Particularly late.
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Alabama jumped out to a double-digit lead in the second half, but the Tigers found a way to close the gap and actually take the lead with 9:06 left, going up 73-72.
Then Alabama went to work. Soon, the Crimson Tide took an 82-75 lead after Wrightsell hit a triple. He wasn't done yet either. Wrightsell hit another triple with 5:03 left to put Alabama up 93-82.
Wrightsell finished the day with 21 points as he shot 6 of 9 from deep. He also grabbed 10 rebounds and had four assists.
What's next?
The Crimson Tide will have a week off with no game until next Saturday when it faces Texas A&M at Coleman Coliseum. It's the first of two consecutive home games; Alabama will then face Florida on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
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After those two games, the Crimson Tide will be on the road for two straight games with games against Kentucky and Ole Miss .
Nick Kelly is the Alabama beat writer for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network, and he covers Alabama football and men's basketball. Reach him at nkelly@gannett.com or follow him @_NickKelly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter .
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball bounces back, puts away LSU for SEC road win
