Nov. 21, 2005

Final Stats

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The chances of Alabama State upsetting No. 14 Alabama Sunday at Coleman Coliseum were remote but the Hornets were certainly hopeful that they would stay closer to the Crimson Tide than what was eventually a 105-68 loss.

Six Alabama players scored in double figures in a game ASU trailed by as many as 57 points in the second half. The Crimson Tide shot nearly 62 percent from the field to nullify the scoring efforts of Alexander Oliver (team-high 16 points), Miguel Morton and Andrew Hayles (career-high 12 points for both).

"We caught a team that was on fire tonight," head coach Lewis Jackson said. "We knew after the (Thursday night) loss to Memphis, they would be fired up and ready to play. They shot the ball extremely well. Their big guys just dominated our guys inside."

Starting forwards Jermareo Davidson (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Chuck Davis (15 points) dominated the Hornets early and often. Richard Hendrix came off the bench to score 22 points and grab 14 rebounds as Bama State had no answer for Alabama's inside game.

"We said we'd go 'man' and try to front the post and get some offside help," Jackson said. "Our guys couldn't get around their big guys, and they were getting the ball in close.

"They were able to overpower our guys close. We tried to go zone, but nothing was working for us tonight. Around the basket, they dominated."

The Hornets did have a strong run at the end of the game, closing with a 30-10 run over the final eight minutes. Oliver forced the action to the basket and ASU hit five 3-pointers during the stretch.

ASU is back in action Friday when it travels to Mobile to face South Alabama. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.