NCAA BK

Tue, Jan 22, 2013 - 9:00 PM ET
Game Recap
 

Alabama holds off Kentucky

Share This Story

Updated Jan 23, 2013 12:36 AM ET
     
 

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP)

Nick Jacobs scored 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting and streaking Alabama beat Kentucky 59-55 on Tuesday night for the Crimson Tide's fifth win in six games.

MIDWEST REGIONAL

The Tide (12-6, 4-1 SEC) held Kentucky (12-6, 3-2) to a season-low scoring total, 22 points below its average.

Levi Randolph and Trevor Releford each hit two free throws in the final 13 seconds to secure the win for Alabama, which had lost seven of the last eight meetings.

Releford had 13 points and Randolph added 11 for the Tide. Jacobs came in averaging 5.8 points a game.

Kyle Wiltjer led Kentucky, which had won four of five games, with 14 points and seven rebounds. Nerlens Noel had eight points, 13 rebounds and for the second straight game blocked seven shots.

The Wildcats shot 8 of 27 (30 percent) in the second half, managing just 22 points.

Alabama and Kentucky traded timeouts after Wiltjer missed a potential tying free throw with 1:20 left and the Tide leading 51-50.

Jacobs, who came off the bench, scored on a putback with 51 seconds left for a 53-50 lead and then Julian Mays and Archie Goodwin missed shots on the other end. Releford dished to a driving Cooper, who was fouled and made one of two free throws with 28 seconds to play.

FOXIEST FANS

Check out the FOXiest fans from arenas across the country and tweet us your photo.

The ball went out of bounds off Kentucky after the miss,

Alabama's Trevor Lacey turned in a key play for a 48-44 lead with 4:26 left. Alex Poythress fouled out with six points, seven below his average, trying to stop his drive to the basket, but Lacey lay on his back for a couple of minutes while trainers attended to what appeared to be leg cramps.

He didn't return to the game after recording seven points, four assists and four steals despite a 2-for-9 shooting night. Moussa Gueye gave Alabama a shot-blocking presence that nearly matched Noel. He swatted five away in 18 minutes.

Kentucky's previous season low in points was 60 points at Vanderbilt in a win on Jan. 10. A drought after halftime helped ensure the Wildcats fell short of that.

Alabama opened the second half on an 11-1 run to turn a nine-point deficit into a 35-34 lead on Lacey's two free throws with 13:29 left. The Wildcats missed their first eight shots and final three before halftime.

Ryan Harrow ended that drought with an open layup set up by Noel's block on a drive by Lacey. Harrow, who had scored in double digits for eight straight games, was 3-for-12 shooting and had six points.

The Wildcats didn't hit a 3-pointer for nearly 13 minutes to open the game, then made three quick ones. Mays hit two and Wiltjer followed up with another 3-pointer during a 17-6 run that stretched Kentucky's lead to 11 points late in the first half.

Randolph's shot in the final seconds didn't go in and the Wildcats took a 33-24 lead into halftime.

Tagged: Alabama, Kentucky, Trevor Releford

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA BK Videos

Enfield's expectations for USC Posted: Jun 04, 2013
USC's Andy Enfield talks about throwing out the first pitch at the Angels game a...

Kansas lands top recruit Posted: May 14, 2013
Reid Forgrave on Kansas landing top recruit Andrew Wiggins. Find out if he think...

Burke bolts for NBA after 2 season Posted: Apr 14, 2013
Wooden Award winning guard Trey Burke talks about opting to head to the NBA afte...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/885881/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_885000/ff_885881_xl.jpg&w=100 74.95 Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black
    Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Georgetown_Hoyas/browse/featuredproduct/1030243/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1030000/ff_1030243_xl.jpg&w=100 119.95 Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue
    Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Duke_Blue_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/1032710/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1032000/ff_1032710_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue
    Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oregon_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/1052002/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052002_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green
    Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Ohio_State_Buckeyes/browse/featuredproduct/1052645/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052645_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet
    Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Indiana_Hoosiers/browse/featuredproduct/1124528/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1124000/ff_1124528_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Cri..
    adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Louisville_Cardinals/browse/featuredproduct/1127200/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127200_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red
    adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey - White http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish/browse/featuredproduct/1127218/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127218_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey ..
    Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Gonzaga_Bulldogs/browse/featuredproduct/1155821/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1155000/ff_1155821_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue
    Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Champions Adjustable Hat – Green http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Hurricanes/browse/featuredproduct/1177723/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1177000/ff_1177723_xl.jpg&w=100 25.95 Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Cham..
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft