Alabama Uses Big Night From Three to Remain Undefeated

No. 18 Alabama extended its undefeated streak to four with a dominant 104-62 win over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Friday night.

Both teams started out relatively well from three-point range, with the Crimson Tide going 12-of-22 in the first half while the Gamecocks went 7-of-14. The gap created by the number of three-pointers made in the half was lessened by Jacksonville State hitting more free throws than Alabama, resulting in the Tide only leading 51-39 at half.

The gap in three pointers made in the second half made all the difference between a fairly close game, and a beatdown. While the Gamecocks cooled down by only hitting two threes, the Crimson Tide kept pace with its performance in the first half, racking up nine more to end the night with 21 total three-pointers, two shy from tying the school record as well as the SEC record of 23. Alabama outscored Jacksonville State 53-23 in the second half.

"Definitely establishes how we want to play," said Alabama head coach Nate Oats. "I don't think this is going to be the last time this year we hit 20 (threes) to be honest with you either. We're going to take them."

Freshman forward Brandon Miller was the Tide's leading scorer with 28 points, 21 of those coming from three-point range, as he sank in a third of Alabama's shots from beyond the ark. Transfer junior guard Mark Sears and transfer sophomore guard Nimari Burnett also added 18 points each.

With the high powered three-point offense the team displayed, Alabama broke 100 points for the first time this season. The Tide also had a season high in assists with 23, led by senior guard Jahvon Quinerly's eight.

"All in all good win, it's great to be at 4-0 going into the stretch we have next week," said Oats. "It's going to be a pretty tough stretch there with the teams we see on Portland, so we needed this win to be there before we headed up to Portland."

The Crimson Tide will look to extend its undefeated streak to five in the Phil Knight Invitational in Portland, Oregon against the Michigan State Spartans on Thursday, Nov. 24, at 9:30 p.m CST.