Live Hoops Updates: Alabama 109, Charleston 96; Final
No. 4-seed Alabama (21-11) will face the 13-seed Charleston (27-7) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash. The matchup will tip-off at 6:35 p.m. CT on truTV.
The Crimson Tide has made four straight NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time since 2003-06, and Alabama is a No. 4 seed or higher in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history. Nate Oats has a record of 4-3 in NCAA Tournament games as Alabama’s head men’s basketball coach, which includes a pair of Sweet 16 appearances.
Game links: WATCH | LISTEN | STATS
Follow live updates and analysis in the space below by refreshing this page, and join the game discussion in the following thread on the BamaOnLine Round Table board HERE.
PREGAME
— Alabama is going with the throwback uniforms once again tonight.
— Alabama starters vs. Charleston: Mark Sears, Aaron Estrada, Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Rylan Griffen and Grant Nelson. Tide goes with its 4-guard lineup for the first time in over a month.
— Officials: Paul Szelc, Matt Potter and Thomas Nunez
— New start time: The game will officially tip off at 7:03 p.m. CT.
FIRST HALF
— Charleston 12, Alabama 10 (14:45) | Neither team has made a 3 at the under-16 timeout, but CoC has a 10-6 edge in points in the paint.
— Charleston 19, Alabama 13 (12:28) | The Cougars have made 5 of their last 7 FGs, while the Crimson Tide hasn’t made a FG in the last 2:54.
— Alabama 30, Charleston 26 (6:59) | Since the 12:28 break, UA has out-scored CoC, 17-7, and the Tide has made 5 of its last 6 from the field and is now 4-of-7 from deep.
— Latrell Wrightsell Jr. just went to the UA locker room with a trainer with a bloody nose. He has 11 points and is 3-of-4 from 3-point range.
— Alabama 42, Charleston 32 (3:04) | The Tide goes on a 7-0 run over the last 0:47 to take its largest lead of the game, and CoC calls a timeout. Mark Sears has a game-high 16.
SECOND HALF
— Alabama 60, Charleston 40 (17:05) | UA on a 7-0 run and has made its last 4 FGs. Mark Sears has scored 5 straight and is up to 25 points.
— Alabama 65, Charleston 44 (15:44) | Jarin Stevenson knocks down his second 3 of the game. UA is 2-of-2 this half and 9-of-15 for the game.
— Alabama 80, Charleston 58 (11:24) | With Sam Walters’ FTs, all 10 of the UA players who have played have scored. Mark Sears leads them all with 29. Latrell Wrightsell has 17.
— Alabama 88, Charleston 61 (9:16) | Sam Walters scored 8 straight prior to that Mo Wague putback. Errbody getting involved now. UA shooting 65% during the 2H. Timeout, CoC.
— Alabama 100, Charleston 71 (5:34) | Tenth 100-point game of the year for Alabama, a new SEC record.
POSTGAME
— Nate Oats: “I thought our rebounding and defense picked up in the first half after we got down six.”
— Oats: “They say you win games in March with guard play. I think that’s true. These guys here (Sears, Wrightsell and Estrada) combined for 60 points.”
— Oats: “I think we showed tonight when we’re locked in, we can be a good defensive team because we were a good defensive team for large parts of the night.”
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