TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Although the Roadrunners responded and righted the ship in the second half, a stagnant offensive opening for UTSA men’s basketball (4-5) created a substantial deficit to 12th-ranked Alabama (7-2) on Sunday at Coleman Coliseum. After carrying a 39-point lead into the half, the Crimson Tide ran away with the 97-55 win.
Opening slowly against the best team on UTSA’s schedule, the Roadrunners fell behind Alabama early due to turnovers, Alabama’s focus on the long ball and second-chance opportunities making huge impacts in the opening period. Although the Roadrunners limited the Crimson Tide to around 30 percent shooting much of the half, Alabama shot 31 threes in the opening half, paced by a surprising outburst from Jalil Bethea, who scored 16 of his 21 points in the first half with four threes. UTSA had 11 first-half turnovers and Alabama scored 23 in the first half off turnovers, with 18 second-chance points – heading into the break leading UTSA 56-17.
After the half, the Roadrunners delivered a more controlled game on both ends of the floor, setting up for better shot selection and forcing Alabama into tougher opportunities. Jamir Simpson and Dorian Hayes combined for the first 18 points of the second half, staying ahead of the Crimson Tide in scoring pace, while logging four three-pointers in the first eight minutes. Out of the second media timeout, Kaidon Rayfield and Austin Nunez started to get into the offensive flow as well.
The UTSA defense proved stiffer in the second half, holding Alabama to 35.9 percent from the field and 19.2 percent from three in the new period. The Crimson Tide continued to fire from long range, surpassing UTSA’s attempts total from last Sunday (56) with 57 Alabama long-range tries today.
Making big moves in the second half, Simpson hit double-figures for the ninth game this season, surpassing 20 for the fifth time with a 20-point, seven-rebound performance. Sparking in the second half, Hayes went 4-for-8 from the perimeter for 12 points and five rebounds.
In the second half, UTSA shot 40 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from three. Alabama only edged out the second-half scoring lead 41-38.
Up Next
Late next week, the Roadrunners will set out for a two-game road swing out west against some prominent names, traveling to Boulder to face Colorado on Dec. 13, then on to Los Angeles to meet 24th-ranked USC on Dec. 17.
- UTSA -