Levi Randolph’s name echoed throughout Coleman Coliseum more times than it ever has Saturday night.
The junior guard scored a career-best 33 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the floor and 5-of-7 on three-point attempts. He set career highs in three-point attempts, field goals made and field goals attempted.
“Coach [Anthony Grant] always tells us to be aggressive and play with confidence, take open shots when they’re there,” Randolph said. “I think my teammates – when we swing the ball around and a shot comes, you’ve got be ready to take it.”
Randolph’s efforts helped the Alabama men’s basketball team to an 80-73 victory over the Missouri Tigers, increasing its record to 11-16 on the season and 5-9 in the Southeastern Conference.
The Crimson Tide walked out of its home arena with a much-needed win, after falling flat on the road against Texas A&M, 63-48, on Thursday, Feb. 20. Thanks to Randolph’s hot hand, the Alabama players walked off the court with broad smiles stretched across their faces.
(See also “Releford, Alabama snap streak“)
“I thought [Levi] was tremendous tonight,” Grant said. “He gave our team great energy, great lift. It’s great to see him come out and play with that type of confidence.”
Collectively, the Crimson Tide shot the ball well, hitting 57 percent (27-of-47) of its shots from the field and 48 percent (10-of-21) from beyond the three-point line.
Alabama also took advantage of Missouri’s mistakes, scoring 19 points off 16 Tiger turnovers.
“I thought Alabama played with a lot more passion, a lot more toughness than we did,” Missouri coach Frank Haith said. “We didn’t defend at all.”
Senior guard Trevor Releford was the only other Alabama player to score in double digits. Releford tallied 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting and a game-high six assists.
(See also “Releford’s 28 points lead Alabama to win over Bulldogs“)
But it did not appear to be a positive night for Releford, who exited the game early favoring his right knee. He took a knee to his lower thigh, right above his knee.
“Trevor played completely on guts and heart tonight,” Grant said. “… He was nowhere near 100 percent.”
Earnest Ross and Jabari Brown led the way offensively for Missouri. Ross scored 25 points, while Brown tacked on 23 of his own.
The Tigers (19-8, 7-7 SEC) also managed to out-rebound the Crimson Tide 36-24.
Grant was pleased with his team’s effort, saying it deserved this win with the up and down season it has went through.
(See also “Jacobs leaves team indefinitely“)
“It’s great to see them be rewarded with a win,” Grant said. “Missouri’s an awfully good team. It’s really just a great character win for our guys to step up and be able to come out with a victory.”
Alabama will travel to Oxford, Miss., to face Ole Miss Wednesday, Feb. 26. That game will tip off at 7 p.m. and be available to view on ESPN3.
