Bama May Not Have the Money “Not at the Vatican” But They Do Have an Agreement with Saban

Bama May Not Have the Money “Not at the Vatican” But They Do Have an Agreement with Saban by Chris Hale

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

The Alabama Crimson Tide (5-4) improved to 5-1 inside the confines of Coleman Coliseum with a win over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers (3-5) on Saturday night.

The game, which was a seemingly must-win situation for the Crimson Tide was a bit too close for comfort in the early going, but Alabama was able to pull away in the second half. The Tide only took a one-point lead into halftime in what proved to be an extremely low scoring half with both teams failing to score 25 points.

Alabama was also without senior point guard Trevor Releford who missed his first game of the year. Releford was fully dressed for the game, but didn’t go through warmups with the team. The team announced at halftime that Releford’s absence was simply due to “precautionary reasons.” It was also noted that it wasn’t due to a suspension or academic reasons.

In Releford’s absence, Retin Obasohon led the way for the Tide leading all scorers with 22 points. He also added a team high 9 rebounds and 6 steals. Rodney Cooper was the only other Tide player in double-figures adding 16 points off the bench.

Dec 14, 2013; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A fan shows his support for Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach Nick Saban during the basketball game against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY SportsNick Jacobs finished with 7 points after seeming to reinjure his right shoulder late in the first half. Although he was ruled questionable to return by the team doctors he checked back into the game early in the second half. Jacobs dislocated the same shoulder in late August but was able to make a quick recovery.

Guard Saah Nimley led the way for Charleston Southern. He finished with 15 points on 3-7 shooting from the field. Forward Paul Gombwer also had a big game for the Buccaneers. He finished with 6 points and 15 rebounds.

Alabama had a horrendous night shooting amassing a 34.9 field goal percentage and shooting just 30 percent from beyond the three point line.

The Tide did win the rebounding and turnover battles which proved to be the difference down the stretch and allowed Alabama to pull away late in the second half.

Alabama’s tough non-conference schedule continues with a big matchup against No. 12 Wichita State on Tuesday night at Coleman Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 pm CT. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and the WatchESPN app and radio coverage will be provided by your local CTSN provider, as always.

Wichita State knocked off Tennessee on Saturday night to improve to 10-0 for the first time in school history. The two teams squared off in Madison Square Garden in the 2011 NIT Championship Game. The Shockers took home the title after defeating the Tide 66-57.

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