______________________________________________________________________________
Bama Men's Basketball Loses To Arkansas 62-61
Photo Credit: RollTide.com/Robert Sutton
Bama's bubble may have burst last night.
In a hard fought Southeastern Conference contest, the Alabama Crimson Tide was not able to survive 12 ties and 13 lead changes during its last home contest of the season, losing to the Arkansas Razorbacks 62-61. Alabama missed on two attempts to take the game in the final minute of the contest.
During the final 15 minutes of the contest neither team was separated by more than four points. In fact, had Arkansas missed on one of its last two free throws the game would have gone into overtime because of a buzzer-launched three-pointer from near half court by RETIN OBASOHAN to end the game one point down. The Razorbacks were able to snap a seven-game losing streak in Coleman Coliseum with the their win last night. It was only the sixth win in 25 games for the Hogs in Tuscaloosa. The last time Arkansas had won at Coleman Coliseum was back in January 2007.
With only 13.4 seconds remaining in the game Arkansas (16-14, 9-8 SEC) held a scant one-point lead before hitting one of two free throw attempts. Senior guard Obasohan's layup missed when Bama took the rebound and headed back down the court. The Tide was able to grab the rebound, but sophomore JUSTIN COLEMAN was unable to sink his three-pointer.
With just four seconds remaining Bama was forced to foul, but the foul came late and to the wrong man. Arkansas' Anthony Bell, an 82 percent free throw shooter, went to the line and sank both free throws and Alabama's hopes for a comeback and possibly their bid to the NCAA Tournament. It was after that that Obasohan launched a 35-footer at the buzzer to bring the game to a close one point down. This was the Tide's third loss in the last four contests.
Obasohan led the scoring for the Crimson Tide with 32 points, only three points off his career high of 35 points against LSU only two weeks ago. It was his 14th game scoring at least 20 points, 11 of which were SEC games. It was Obasohan's 23rd games in double figures for the 2015-16 season.
The only other Tider to finish in double figures was junior SHANNON HALE who pumped in 10 points on the night. Freshman DONTA HALL had five points, seven rebounds and a season-high five blocked shots in his 21 minutes coming off the bench. ARTHUR EDWARDS finished with six points and three asssists.
Alabama is now 17-12, 8-9 SEC. It is believed the Tide would have to win the SEC Tournament in order to make the NCAA Tournament. Though Bama has some excellent wins in its resume, it also has some bad losses, including being under .500 in SEC play.
The Crimson Tide concludes the regular season with a road trip to Georgia this Saturday, March 5th. Tip off is schedules for 3 p.m. CT and will air on ESPN2.
Photo Credit: RollTide.com/Robert Sutton
Photo Credit: RollTide.com/Robert Sutton
--------------------------------------------------
SEC Women's Basketball Tournament
One And Out
____
Women's Basketball Falls To LSU
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The Alabama Crimson Tide women's basketball team won't end the 2015-16 season with a winning record. They came as close as they could, however, without doing so.
12th-seed Alabama fell yesterday 58-49 in the first round of the SEC women's basketball tournament to the 13th-seed LSU Tigers yesterday in Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Jacksonville, Florida. Alabama ends their season at 15-15 overall. LSU moves to 10-20 on the year.
Alabama's scoring leader was sophomore MEOSHONTI KNIGHT with 15 points. Right behind her was sophomore QUANETRIA BOLTON with 12 points. Leading the Tide in rebounds was sophomore HANNAH COOK bringing down nine, followed by SHAQUERA WADE, Knight and Bolton with four each. KARYLA MIDDLEBROOK was the team leader in assists with four.
Crimson Tide head coach KRISTY CURRY commented, "I think you have to credit LSU on a day like today. I thought their energy on defense was outstanding. I thought Alexis
Hyder completely dominated us inside. They were able to knock down
shots, and we weren't able to convert and knock down on the other end."
LSU shot 50.0 percent (25-50) on the day while Bama was just 30.2 percent (16-53) for the game.
The win would have given Alabama their first winning season since 2010-11. The Tide lost 13 of the last 16 games.
------------------------------
Terrance Ferguson Reopens Basketball Recruitment
Terrance Ferguson
Photo Credit: Kelly Kline/Getty Images
One of Alabama men's basketball head coach AVERY JOHNSON's "big gets" is looking elsewhere, according to Scout.com. Five-star Terrance Ferguson reportedly has backed off his commitment to the Crimson Tide. Ferguson made his commitment last year, but failed to sign in the early signing period as had been the plan.
Ray Forsette, Ferguson's high school coach, has reportedly said to Scout that he is still interested in Alabama, but the death of the young man's grandmother this past month has impacted his decision. Ferguson's mother confirmed the decision to ESPN. Ferguson was, however, in Tuscaloosa this past weekend to see the Crimson Tide beat in-state rival Auburn.
According to Scout's recruiting rankings Ferguson is the 13th best player in this recruiting class. The Tide's class is currently ranked 15th in the nation.
Ferguson has not been tweeting much since he backed off his commitment to the Tide, so that could be seen as the young man not fully backing off Bama. Kansas and Baylor both are pursuing the young man.
------------------------------
Quanesha Burks Remains On Bowerman Trophy Watch List
Quanesha Burks
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released the Pre-NCAA Indoor Championships edition of the women's watch list for the 2016 Bowerman Trophy. Alabama's junior long jumper QUANESHA BURKS remains on that list.
Burks won the long jump title at the SEC Indoor Championships last weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She set a new school record for that jump. She is tied for the number one spot on the NCAA women's long jump list going into the NCAA Indoor Championships.
