|
TUSCALOOSA
– The North Alabama men’s basketball team was able to match the
Alabama Crimson Tide basket-for-basket in the first half before
succumbing to the size and depth of the major Division I program
over the final 20 minutes during a 99-71 exhibition loss Monday at
Coleman Coliseum.
Less than 24
hours after playing at ninth-ranked Indiana, the Lions kept the game
against the Tide close early on. UNA took a brief 41-39 lead in the
final two minutes of the first half, and a free throw by Doug Hunter
gave the Lions a
42-41 advantage
with 35 seconds remaining. Alabama, however, was able to regain the
lead at the half on a dunk by Alonzo Gee as time expired.
The final 20
minutes belonged to UA as the Tide opened the second half on a 26-0
run. The Lions missed 11 straight shots and committed seven
turnovers before a three-pointer by Quinn Beckwith gave UNA its
first points of the half at the 11:07 mark. By that time, Alabama
had built a 69-45 advantage.
Beckwith
finished the game seven-of-17 from the floor with a game-high 24
points. Casey Holt added 10 points to round out the Lions’ top
scorers. UA had five players reached double digits in scoring,
including 18 from Richard Hendrix.
|
