Alabama’s wheelchair basketball team, both men’s and women’s, finished the day 2-0 in the NIWBT (National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament).

In the first game, the women’s team beat Illinois 55-32.

Leading the Crimson Tide was junior Arinn Young with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. Following her was sophomore Kate Lang recording 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Junior Babsi Gross finished with 10 points.

To start the game, it was a back-and-forth battle with both teams exchanging shots until Alabama began to find its rhythm. Junior Rosalie Lalonde found Junior Babsi Gross over the top for the easy basket to close out the first half.

Throughout the second half, the defense stepped up, and the Crimson Tide held the Fighting Illini to two points during the first four minutes, and six total in the third quarter. Alabama continued the defensive stand holding Illinois to 11 points in the fourth quarter.

Alabama shot 26-of-51 for 51 percent from the field, while Illinois shot 15-of-41 for 36 percent. The Crimson Tide outrebounded the Fighting Illini 31-27 and caused 10 turnovers.

The hard hat award went to junior Selina Rausch for her continuous effort and level head throughout the game.

In the second game, the men beat SMSU (Southwest Minnesota State University) 77-65.

Senior Michael Auprince led Alabama with 36 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Following him was graduate student Dequel Robinson recording 16 points, four rebounds, and six assists. Freshman Ignacio Ortega finished with 13 points.

Starting with two quick turnovers and a foul by freshman Spencer Kimbo, the Crimson Tide looked out of sorts. After several minutes of finding its rhythm, Alabama took its first lead 23-21 with 8:21 left in the first half. For the remainder of the half, both teams exchanged shots and continued to be physical.

The Mustangs Jesus Villa hit a buzzer beater shot to trail by one at halftime 35-34.

In a back-and-forth second half, Alabama pulled away with three minutes remaining and grabbed its first double-digit lead with under a minute left.

Alabama shot 31-of-57 for 54 percent from the field, while SMSU shot 26-of-53 for 49 percent, and went 7-of-14 for 50 percent from behind the arc. The Crimson Tide outrebounded SMSU 26-25 and caused 11 turnovers.

The men are back in action tomorrow against the University of Texas-Arlington at 4 p.m. in the semifinal, while the women play at 2 p.m. on Saturday against the University of Texas-Arlington for the national championship.