Alabama-LSU: Tide Coasts Past Tigers, 81-72

After a disheartening loss to Tennessee on Tuesday, the Alabama Crimson Tide took the court again Saturday against the LSU Tigers to end their four-game home stand. 

The Tide used a great defensive effort and stole the ball 12 times to give themselves a halftime lead and then held on in the second half for the victory.

Alabama had a comfortable lead for most of the half before landing on the final margin of nine.

The Tide used a great performance from Richard Hendrix once again to stay in the game. 

Hendrix got his usual 19 points, but was a beast on the boards. He pulled down 17 rebounds, well above his season average of 10.

Alabama got the support it has been lacking in most conference games from Alonzo Gee and Mykal Riley. Gee dropped 15 points for the Tide, and Riley managed to find his stroke and got 19 points, 16 of them in the first half.

The Bayou Bengals were led by Marcus Thronton, who scored a game high 22 points.  Freshman Anthony Randolph was the lone Tiger to post a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. 

Alabama held the Tigers to just 36 percent shooting from the field, one of the best defensive outings for the Tide this season. 

Alabama shot 48 percent from the field and 43 percent from downtown to counteract the season long slump from the free throw line.  Alabama shot 67 percent from the charity stripe compared to LSU’s amazing 96 percent, only missing one all game.

Alabama will now travel to Starkville on Wednesday to play Mississippi State for the second time this season.  The Tide will look to avenge a 66-56 loss suffered just two weeks ago. 

LSU will look to get back on track after a week off by hosting the Tennessee Volunteers next Saturday at home.