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Men's Basketball
Crimson Tide Snaps 11-Game Losing Streak
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Defeats Florida Gators 61-55
Retin Obasohan
Photo Credit: RollTide.com/Kent Gidley
Head basketball coach AVERY JOHNSON and his Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team snapped an 11-game losing streak against the Florida Gators last night in Gainesville. Oh, the victory was so sweet as Bama used defense to stifle the the Gator offense to win 61-55 for the first time since February 25, 1995 in Gainesville. It had been 10 years since Bama beat Florida in Gainesville and 11 overall.
The was the fourth consecutive victory for Alabama, and the fifth in six games. The Tide improves to 15-9 overall, 6-6 SEC. Florida drops to 16-9, 7-5 SEC.
The win was not without its difficulties, however. Senior RETIN OBASOHAN picked up his fifth foul of the game with 5:35 to play in the game hanging on to a 48-44 lead. Not only was Obasohan out, but 13 seconds later the Crimson Tide lost ARTHUR EDWARDS to a fifth foul as well. But the miracle happened, and the scrappy boys from Bama put together a defense that held the Gators scoreless, 0-6, for the next two minutes and then went on a 9-4 run themselves to extend the lead to 57-49 with only 39 seconds remaining in the game.
Four Alabama players scored in double-digits in the contest. Obasohan led the Tide with his game-high 15 points, as well as the team-leading seven rebounds and two assists. Junior JIMMIE TAYLOR again stepped up with a big game and contributed 11 points and blocked five shots. Junior SHANNON HALE and sophomore JUSTIN COLEMAN both added another 10 points in the effort.
Coach Johnson commented, "(It was) a pretty good, complete game for our team. We came into the game trying to accomplish certain strategic and
specific things defensively. Fortunately, we were able to accomplish a
lot of our goals, one of which was defending the three-point line. We
didn’t do a great job on the boards, but even when they got some of the
offensive rebounds on us, we did a great job of giving the second and
third effort. Overall, this was a night where we tried to slow down
(Dorian) Finney-Smith, as I alluded, defend the three point line, we
didn’t meet our goals with rebounding, but at the same time, we were
just trying to finish this game with one more point that Florida and
fortunately we did, so outstanding win for our team."
The Tide trained by four at the half, 27-23, hitting only 30 percent from the field. However, the Gators were able only to hit 30 percent themselves. Bama was out-rebounded 26-18 with 10 offensive rebounds which was inadequate according to Johnson.
Next up for Bama is a trip to conference-leader LSU. Bama travels to Baton Rouge on Wednesday, February 17th for an 8 p.m. CT contest. The game will air on the SEC Network.
Head Coach Avery Johnson
Photo Credit: RollTide.com/Kent Gidley
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Tide Football Lands WR For 2016 Season
Wide Receiver Gehrig Dieter
Photo Credit: Andrew Weber
In his press conference on National Signing Day, Alabama head football coach NICK SABAN said that the only area he thought they could have used more help was with the wide receivers. Saban had just gotten the number one recruiting class for his National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide and overall was pleased, but admitted he'd like to have gotten a wide receiver.
He got one yesterday.
Saban and the Tide have landed wide receiver GEHRIG DIETER out of Bowling Green, tweeting out that he is transferring to UA. Dieter is graduating in May and will transfer to Bama, and not have to sit out a season since he will have graduated. He will have one season of eligibility remaining.
The 6' 3", 207-pound Dieter caught 94 passes last season for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns. One thing Bama fans will especially like, he had seven catches for 133 yards against Tennessee in the Bowling Green opener last year.
The Tide has had great success with transfer student-athletes breaking into starring positions. For instance, Bama brought in RICHARD MULLANEY last season from Oregon State. Mullaney did an excellent job for the Crimson Tide, catching 38 passes for five touchdowns.
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Crimson Tide Softball Wins A Pair Saturday
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The fifth-ranked University of Alabama softball team pulled off a two-game sweep yesterday in Orlando, Florida. First, the Crimson Tide defeated Rutgers in a shutout 6-0 and then disposed of 19th-ranked James Madison 2-1 in a come-from-behind victory.
The Tide pitching staff did an excellent job yesterday, allowing just one run over 14 innings.
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Bama Gymnastics To Face West Virginia
The fourth-ranked Crimson Tide gymnastics teams hosts the 24th-ranked Mountaineers of West Virginia today at 3 p.m. CT.
Also today is Big Al's Carnival which will be located on the concourse. The carnival will include a variety of carnival-inspired games and activities. The carnival will get underway immediately after the doors open at 1 p.m. There will be great prizes available as usual courtesy of Tuscaloosa Toyota.
