Jan 30, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers guard Tahj Shamsid-Seen (13) is pressured by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Trelvor Releford (12) during the first half at Auburn Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
The Alabama Crimson Tide (9–11, 3–4 SEC) lost its eighth-straight game away from Coleman Coliseum on Thursday night against the Auburn Tigers (9–9, 1–6 SEC) in blowout fashion.
For the second-straight year the Crimson Tide found its offensive attack sputtering on the road against Auburn. In a game where Alabama didn’t lead at any point and went down 12–0 to start the game, the Tide couldn’t find any answers.
Trevor Releford found himself in foul trouble early after picking up three quick fouls and was relegated to playing extremely soft on defense. He finished with 15 points and was the only Alabama player to reach the double-digit mark.
Guard Retin Obasohan made his return after missing the last two games with a strained hip flexor. Obasohan played a key role while Releford was forced to sit in the waining moments of the first half. He added 9 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists off the bench.
Guard Algie Key was the only other lone bright spot for the Tide with 6 points and several big shots in the second half. He was a part of Alabama’s only comeback bid in the second half.
The Tide defense had no answer for Auburn guard Chris Denson. Denson finished with a career-high 32 points and 7 rebounds. Guard KT Harrell added 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Auburn’s early lead proved to be insurmountable for a Tide team that couldn’t find any rhythm on the offensive side of the ball. Alabama shot just 35.8 percent from the field and a horrendous 18.8 percent from three-point range.
The Tigers on the other hand had a very efficient night from the field finishing the game at 49 percent.
The game was extremely foul laden with both teams combining for 53 total fouls. A double technical was even issued after Alabama’s Shannon Hale and Auburn’s Malcolm Canada exchanged shoves. Hale was fouled on his shot and seemingly head-butted Canada after the foul was called. Canada was given a technical for retaliating.
Thursday’s win for the Tigers snaps their 16 game in-conference losing streak.
Many disgusted Alabama fans took to Twitter after the loss to share their thoughts about the game and Alabama head coach Anthony Grant’s future.
— JD Imbusch (@jd_imbusch) January 31, 2014
Former Alabama guard and member of Grant’s staff at Alabama, Andrew Steele, expressed his continued support of his former coach and boss.
I'm still sticking with Coach Grant and the team! I know firsthand how good a coach he is and still think they'll turn it around!
— Andrew Steele (@D_Steele22) January 31, 2014
I'm not saying we're where we wanna be right now, but we're def better than we were 5 years ago! The fact that expectations have gone up...
— Andrew Steele (@D_Steele22) January 31, 2014
Alabama will return home to play the Tennessee Volunteers (13–7, 4–3 SEC) at Coleman Coliseum on Saturday night at 8 p.m. Auburn will remain at home to face the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday.
Television coverage of the Alabama vs. Tennessee game will be provided by ESPN2 and via the WatchESPN app. Radio coverage, as always, will be provided by your local CTSN affiliate.
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