TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In a competitive matchup, Grant Nelson led the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide to a 72-64 victory over McNeese State on Monday night, scoring 22 points and pulling down seven rebounds.
Latrell Wrightsell Jr. made a significant impact with a strong performance, shooting 5 of 9 from beyond the arc for a total of 15 points. Additionally, Mark Sears contributed equally with 15 points, alongside three rebounds and five assists, aiding Alabama’s efforts to remain undefeated at 3-0 for the season.
McNeese State, now sitting at 1-2, faced challenges throughout the game due to foul troubles, accumulating a total of 22 fouls. This situation hampered their star player, Javohn Garcia, who managed only four points in 11 minutes of play, significantly below his average of 18 points per game.
On the other hand, Sincere Parker emerged as a key player for the Cowboys, coming off the bench to score 19 points, while Alyn Breed supported the team with 17 points.
In terms of performance insights, Parker has consistently shown his scoring ability as he has totaled 39 points over his last two games, achieving an impressive shooting percentage of 56% (15 for 27). Meanwhile, Alabama’s triumph came in a game that saw lower scoring than usual, as they struggled with both shot attempts and handling the ball, turning it over 15 times.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred with just over two minutes left. Nelson, demonstrating tenacity, fought for one of his offensive rebounds and was fouled, which allowed him to sink two free throws and extend Alabama’s lead to nine points. Following this, McNeese State managed only two attempts from the field, unable to regain momentum.
One noteworthy statistic highlighted Alabama’s teamwork; the Crimson Tide assisted on 16 of their 22 field goals, showcasing strong ball movement and efficient scoring from half-court sets when necessary.
Looking ahead, Alabama will face a challenging matchup against No. 13 Purdue on Friday, marking the team’s first opponent outside of their home court and their first game against a ranked team this season. Meanwhile, McNeese State prepares for a home game against North Texas on Monday.