By: Bryant Kwilecki | Sports Editor
Photo by: Lauryn Gunn | Contributing Photographer
On Nov. 15, the South Alabama Men’s basketball team hosted the Alabama Crimson Tide for the first time in Mitchell Center history. It is unusual that South hosts a school like Alabama or Auburn, but the Jags got the opportunity to do that. Three years ago, the Jags hosted Auburn and fell short of beating them by only two points. In this game against Alabama, the Jags lost 65-55.
Last season, the Jags went to Tuscaloosa to take on the Tide and only lost by five points. This year, though both teams are much improved, the Tide once again got the best of the Jags. Both teams struggled on offense, but the major difference in the game was Alabama’s ability to rebound and score off of second-chance points. Alabama currently leads the nation in rebounds, and that trend continued with their total of 63 rebounds to South’s 40. The Jags’ point guard Isaiah Moore led the Jags in scoring with 20 points, while freshman forward Brandon Miller led Alabama with 19 points. The Jags were able to hang with the Tide the entire game before ultimately falling by just ten points.
The Mitchell Center was truly electric with both Jag and Tide fans. The student section was alive and loud and affected the Tide’s ability in free throw shooting. Despite the loss, it was still a great night for the Jags. While the Jags’ current record is 1-2, the majority of the season remains with bigger and better things to come for this team.
South Alabama will travel to Norman, OK to take on the Oklahoma Sooners on Friday, Nov. 18.
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