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Alabama Basketball: Sexton and Ingram Lead Tide to Close Victory

By Mike Parham

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 09: Avery Johnson the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives instructions to his team against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second round of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 9, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 09: Avery Johnson the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives instructions to his team against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second round of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 9, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Alabama basketball rebounds from Minnesota loss with a 77-74 win against Louisiana Tech. 

It wasn’t pretty, but Alabama basketball still managed to come away with a victory against Louisiana Tech.  The Tide, led by Collin Sexton and Dazon Ingram, relied on a late run to put away the Bulldogs.

Alabama trailed for most of the game, at one point by as much as 11, but relied on small runs to stay within striking distance.

For Alabama (6-1), this was a great way to bounce back from a bizarre loss to Minnesota. Louisiana Tech (5-1) is a good team, known for upsetting bigger programs on the road.

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For much of the first half, it was same story different day concerning Daniel Giddens and early foul trouble.  He committed two early fouls and watched most of the first half on the sideline.

Once Giddens was in foul trouble, and Donta Hall was being rested, Louisiana Tech took advantage of the Tide on the offensive glass.

However, Alabama basketball found its stride and ended the first half on an 8-0 run to cut the lead down to one.

At the start of the second half Alabama came out COLD.  It took the Tide exactly five minutes to score their first basket of the second half to make the score 48-39.

For most of the second half, whenever Alabama tried to make a run to close the gap, there was a turnover or forced shot that shifted momentum back to Louisiana Tech.

Alabama took their first lead of the second half, with 5:38 remaining, on free throws by Dazon Ingram.  From there, it was a back and forth game until a layup by Riley Norris at 1:18 gave the Tide the lead for good.

Ingram and Sexton Lift Tide

Collin Sexton and Dazon Ingram were needed every step of the way down the stretch.  Although they have struggled this season, clutch free throw shooting from both helped seal the victory.

Sexton finished with 22-points, 3 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals.  Ingram also tallied 22-points to go along with 9 rebounds.

The Tide has now squeaked out victories from two very good teams late in the game.  That type of late-game experience is valuable for any team, especially early in the season.

John Petty Sits Second Half

Sitting at the end of the bench looking noticeably frustrated, John Petty sat for almost the entirety of the second half.  Many Tide fans have speculated whether it was his ankle, injured during the Minnesota game, or something else.

During huddles during timeouts, he continued to sit which caused even more speculation.  It should be noted that he cheered his teammates on during the late game comeback.  Whether he was hurt or in the “dog house” remains to be seen.

Next: Alabama Football: Bama NFL Blitz Week 12 – JULIOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

The next Alabama basketball game is against UCF Sunday at 2pm ET.  It is the second game of a three-game homestand.

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