Alabama Downs Ole Miss in Double OT, 69-67
By Nick Jones
Alabama continued their streaky play tonight vs. Ole Miss, but got it done when it mattered most. The Crimson Tide improved to 15-7 and 4-4 in the SEC with the 69-67 win over Ole Miss in double overtime.
Anthony Grant said before the game that he would start off with a big lineup and he did. Coach Grant started Nick Jacobs over Tony Mitchell and it proved to be the difference early. Grant knew that Ole Miss was a physical team inside and he countered it. Alabama started off their first possession with three straight offensive rebounds, and they led the rebounding battle for most of the first half.
Alabama’s senior forward, JaMychal Green, saw his playing time cut in the first half after picking up two early fouls. With Green sitting on the bench, Anthony Grant turned to first-year player Moussa Gueye. Gueye returned to the team mid-season after suffering a knee injury in the summer. He totaled some good minutes for the Tide in Green’s absence.
Ole Miss guard Nick Williams led all scorers with 19 points. Including several clutch shots down the stretch. JaMychal Green had a big game before fouling out early in the second overtime. He totaled 16 points, 12 rebounds, and one assist. Green locked in a double-double in regulation.
Bench scoring was the story for the Crimson Tide tonight. Tony Mitchell looked like his old self after a recent slump. Mitchell ended the game with 14 points and four rebounds, all four on the offensive glass. Tony Mitchell also added three big highlight dunks, including one tomahawk jam from near the free throw line. Andrew Steele led all bench players with 32 minutes played. He would add the game winning shot from fifteen feet. Steele finished with seven points, including one three-point basket. Charles Hankerson Jr. lit up the Ole Miss defense to start the second half. He hit back-to-back shots from outside, one from three. JaMychal Green commenting on Hankerson after the game, “We need him to do more of that every game. If he does that we’ll be a better team.”
Ole Miss’ turnover troubles killed them tonight. The Rebels had a chance to end the game in overtime, but they turned the ball over while driving to the basket. The SEC leader in turnovers committed 17 in tonight’s loss. Alabama gave the ball up 12 times, most of their giveaways coming in the first half.
Alabama was able to hold Ole Miss to 21 points in the second half, after giving up 33 in the first. The Tide’s defense stepped up after the first half. Ole Miss struggled in overtime with Alabama’s half court defense. Reginald Buckner fouled out in the first overtime, which softened up the Ole Miss interior a bit. In Buckner’s absence, Ole Miss looked lost at times in their half court offense. The Rebels freshman point guard, Jarvis Summers, showed his experience in the closing minutes. Summers committed a turnover, which eventually led to Andrew Steele’s game-winning shot from the elbow. He also committed a foul, which iced the game for the Crimson Tide.
The Tide improved their shooting performance after a sub-par first half. Finishing the game 27-68, 39.7 percent from the field. But, the struggles from outside continued as Alabama shot 17.6 percent (3-17) from three-point range.
Tonight’s win puts Alabama back in the running for the SEC crown. Kentucky and Florida are still the clear favorites, but with Vanderbilt’s loss earlier today to Florida, third place is wide open. Kentucky and Florida will face off on Tuesday in Lexington to decide the top spot, while Florida will travel to Tuscaloosa on February 14.
Alabama will travel to the plains to face Auburn on Tuesday night. Auburn sits at 13-10 on the season, 3-6 in the SEC. Keep in mind, the Tigers also defeated Ole Miss in double overtime. Auburn suffered a close loss to Mississippi State today 91-88. Auburn Arena should be rocking on Tuesday night when the Tide comes to town for the first meeting in the Iron Bowl, basketball style.