TIDE BEATS ARIZONA 76-73
'Bama stumbles but does not fall...

 

Lewis checks Coleman 

   Earlier, we speculated that what Alabama did today would give us an idea of what we could expect for the remainder of the season. Would the Tide continue to play horrible defense and throw in a poor offense for no extra charge, or would the Tide dig down inside themselves and prove they were not going to go belly up? Alabama chose the dig-deep idea and came away with a key non-conference win over a solid Arizona team. Arizona isn't a great team, but at the end of the year, I'd bet they go dancing.

       

   The Tide shot out of the gate with great shooting and even better defense. Once again the Tide had a 19-point lead in the first half and then seemed to lose focus. Arizona cut the lead to nine at half-time. The big question loomed. What this going to be a repeat of Georgia State or could the Tide find something better? Alabama had shown some real movement on offense, good spacing, and team-work for the first 15 minutes of the first half. The final half was too much one on one. The result was Arizona got additional shots. 

     

      In the second half, the Tide started by controlling the boards. If you control the glass you win more than you lose. The second half was brought to you courtesy of Kira Lewis and Don'ta Hall. The big post player played harder than he has played all season. He dominated the boards and followed anyone who drove to the glass for some nice putbacks, including a thunder dunk when the Tide needed one. There were four lead changes. When Kira Lewis made a step-three the Tide took a five-point lead with 13.2 seconds left. He brushed a Hall screen and had just enough room and time make that basket. 

• Alex Reese continues to impress. He made two nice threes, hit a baby hook, and made his free throws. He is a pleasant surprise. The weight program and nutrition program has made him ready to rock 'n roll.
• Kira Lewis controlled the Bama effort in the second half. He scored 13 of his game-high 20 in the second half.
• Don'ta pulled down 9 rebounds, and made key free throws down the stretch. 
• John Petty is finding ways to help. His rebounding and ball handling give the Tide a new dimension. His shooting is abysmal. Herb Jones is hurting Bama's offense. His defense remains solid. 

      Bama put aside a devastating loss to Georgia State with fortitude down the stretch to beat a good PAC-12 team. Alabama plays Liberty in Huntsville next up.