Big Red Open Season With Victory Over Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama -- Anthony Grant's coaching debut at Alabama didn't quite go as planned. Against defending Ivy league champions Cornell, Alabama led for a total of 19 seconds, as Cornell held on for a 71-67 win in both teams' regular season opener.

Grant's first game at Alabama after leaving VCU was a tough test in the season opener, as Cornell was tough to defend from three-point range, combined with a good inside presence. For the visiting Big Red, Ryan Wittman led the scoring, hitting 5-8 from beyond the arc en route to a game-high 23 points. Center Jeff Foote contributed 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks for Cornell as well.

For the Crimson Tide, standout sophomore JaMychal Green had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort. While four Alabama players finished with double figures in points, spreading the wealth seemed to be a problem for the Tide as finished with only 9 assists and five players scoring at all.

Cornell went down 2-0 early, but tied the game up shortly after on a Foote hook shot, and the Big Red never looked back, leading the rest of the way. Although the lead was as high as 15 early in the second half, the Tide made it close drawing to within three points before sophomore Chris Wroblewski put it away with a late free throw, as part of a 6-7 stretch from the line over the last couple minutes of the game. The difference in the game came from beyond the arc as Cornell made 10-18 (55.6%) three pointers compared to 4-11 (36.4%) for Alabama.

The victory for Cornell marks the first victory over an SEC opponent since 1972-1973, when they defeated Arkansas 78-77.

Next up for the Big Red is a game at UMass on Wednesday, November 18th, while the Tide will play host to Jackson St. on Tuesday, November 17th.