Alabama and LSU won’t meet on the football field until November. However, Saturday’s basketball game between the Crimson Tide and Tigers featured the expectancies that come with their gridiron clashes. That is, except for Alabama coming out on top. Alabama was unable to extend its winning streak as it fell 74-69 to No. 13 LSU in a physical battle inside of Coleman Coliseum.
Trailing 66-63 with 44 seconds remaining, Alabama forward Riley Norris’ pass was intercepted by LSU guard Tremont Watters who broke away to the basket before laying the ball off the glass for teammate Skylar Mays to slam home. After a missed jumper from Donta Hall on the other end, LSU’s Marlon Taylor made both of his free throws to extend the Tigers lead to 70-63 with 29 seconds remaining.
John Petty hit two late 3s, including one to cut the lead to 72-69 with 8.7 seconds remaining. However, Mays made both of his free throws on the other end to close out any chances of a comeback.
Alabama (17-12, 8-8 in the SEC) led by as many as 6 points midway through the second half and missed a golden chance to add a crucial Quadrant 1 win to its NCAA Tournament resume as LSU (24-5, 14-2) battled foul trouble late. Both teams struggled from the floor with Alabama shooting 38 percent while LSU fared slightly better at 42 percent.
During its 88-79 victory over Alabama earlier this season, LSU shot a blazing 10 of 15 from beyond the arc. Saturday, the Tigers made just 4 of 17 (24 percent) shots from distance, while Alabama shot 8 of 26 (31 percent).
Alabama dug itself into an early hole early, starting the game 4 of 21 from the floor. However, the Crimson Tide was able to use an 11-0 run midway through the half capped off by a 3 from Petty to take a 24-23 lead. Alabama went into the half trailing 29-28 despite shooting 29 percent from the floor and 43 percent from the free-throw line. Alabama made just 13 of 24 (57 percent) of its free throws on the afternoon.
Petty led Alabama with 23 points, including five 3s. Hall had 14 points and 10 rebounds to record his third straight double-double, giving him an SEC-best 13 on the season. Norris finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Herbert Jones had 11 points for Alabama. LSU was led by Mays with 20 points and Ja’Vonte Smart with 19 points. Naz Reid had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Tigers
Saturday served as Senior Day for Alabama as seniors, Norris, Avery Johnson Jr. and Lawson Schaffer were recognized along with redshirt juniors Daniel Giddens and Dazon Ingram.
Next up
Alabama will play its final game in Coleman Coliseum this season as it hosts Auburn on Tuesday at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN. Auburn won the previous meeting between the two teams, blowing out Alabama 84-63 in Auburn.
Home-court advantage has been crucial in the rivalry as the home team is 11-2 over the past seven seasons. Auburn is led by guards Bryce Brown and Jared Harper. The duo combined for 42 points and eight 3s during the last game against Alabama.
There will be a ceremony during halftime of Tuesday’s game to celebrate Alabama football’s 52-21 victory over Auburn in the Iron Bowl last season. Following the game against Auburn, Alabama will wrap up regular-season play as it travels to Arkansas on March 9.
Trailing 66-63 with 44 seconds remaining, Alabama forward Riley Norris’ pass was intercepted by LSU guard Tremont Watters who broke away to the basket before laying the ball off the glass for teammate Skylar Mays to slam home. After a missed jumper from Donta Hall on the other end, LSU’s Marlon Taylor made both of his free throws to extend the Tigers lead to 70-63 with 29 seconds remaining.
John Petty hit two late 3s, including one to cut the lead to 72-69 with 8.7 seconds remaining. However, Mays made both of his free throws on the other end to close out any chances of a comeback.
Alabama (17-12, 8-8 in the SEC) led by as many as 6 points midway through the second half and missed a golden chance to add a crucial Quadrant 1 win to its NCAA Tournament resume as LSU (24-5, 14-2) battled foul trouble late. Both teams struggled from the floor with Alabama shooting 38 percent while LSU fared slightly better at 42 percent.
During its 88-79 victory over Alabama earlier this season, LSU shot a blazing 10 of 15 from beyond the arc. Saturday, the Tigers made just 4 of 17 (24 percent) shots from distance, while Alabama shot 8 of 26 (31 percent).
Alabama dug itself into an early hole early, starting the game 4 of 21 from the floor. However, the Crimson Tide was able to use an 11-0 run midway through the half capped off by a 3 from Petty to take a 24-23 lead. Alabama went into the half trailing 29-28 despite shooting 29 percent from the floor and 43 percent from the free-throw line. Alabama made just 13 of 24 (57 percent) of its free throws on the afternoon.
Petty led Alabama with 23 points, including five 3s. Hall had 14 points and 10 rebounds to record his third straight double-double, giving him an SEC-best 13 on the season. Norris finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Herbert Jones had 11 points for Alabama. LSU was led by Mays with 20 points and Ja’Vonte Smart with 19 points. Naz Reid had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Tigers
Saturday served as Senior Day for Alabama as seniors, Norris, Avery Johnson Jr. and Lawson Schaffer were recognized along with redshirt juniors Daniel Giddens and Dazon Ingram.
Next up
Alabama will play its final game in Coleman Coliseum this season as it hosts Auburn on Tuesday at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN. Auburn won the previous meeting between the two teams, blowing out Alabama 84-63 in Auburn.
Home-court advantage has been crucial in the rivalry as the home team is 11-2 over the past seven seasons. Auburn is led by guards Bryce Brown and Jared Harper. The duo combined for 42 points and eight 3s during the last game against Alabama.
There will be a ceremony during halftime of Tuesday’s game to celebrate Alabama football’s 52-21 victory over Auburn in the Iron Bowl last season. Following the game against Auburn, Alabama will wrap up regular-season play as it travels to Arkansas on March 9.
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