SPORTS
Wildcats Defeat #10 Alabama
A screenshot from ESPN.com at the end of the game.
The Wildcats Men’s Basketball didn’t have a game on Tuesday night on their original schedule. The team was supposed to be hosting Loyola-Chicago at Belk Arena on Wednesday afternoon. However, that game was canceled due to COVID protocols within Loyola’s team.
At roughly the same time, the organizers of the C.M. Newton Classic in Birmingham, Alabama learned that #21 Colorado State also had a COVID protocol issue and would not be able to play the 10th ranked Crimson Tide. So, when the opportunity was presented, the Wildcats added the game vs. Alabama to their schedule. And beating the odds – the ‘Cats won!
It was the Wildcats’ first win against a top-10 ranked team since the 2008 season. We likely don’t have to remind readers of a certain former Wildcat (Stephen Curry) who was on the team that defeated the Wisconsin Badgers in the Sweet 16.
The Wildcats led Alabama at halftime with a score of 42-35, and they held the lead until there was 6:40 remaining in the game. However, at that point Alabama tied the game at 64-64. When it looked like the momentum might have shifted, the Wildcats went on another run. Over the next four minutes they outshot the Crimson Tide 15-5.
With 2:01 on the clock the Wildcats had a 79-69 lead. And in the end, it was enough. . .barely. The ‘Cats were scoreless in those final two minutes, but Alabama could only score 9.
The final score was 79-78.
A few stats worth highlighting:
- Luka Brajkovic led the ‘Cats with 22 points.
- Michael Jones was right behind him with a career high 21 points. Going into the game, he was averaging 12.6 points per game.
- Hyunjung Lee and Foster Loyer were the other 2 ‘Cats in double figures, with 17 and 11 respectively.
- The Crimson Tide matched the ‘Cats behind the 3-point arc – each team drained 12 shots, and both shot 46% from long range.
With the win the Wildcats move to 9-2 on the season and the Crimson Tide drops to 9-3. It was the fifth meeting between the two teams, and Davidson now has a 4-1 record. However, the last meeting was in 1991 and that was a win for Alabama. Prior to Tuesday night’s win, the ‘Cats’ last win against the Crimson tide was on December 28, 1964.
Interviewed at the end of the game, head coach Bob McKillop said “We have unselfish guys – who move the ball, look for each other. It is an absolute joy to coach these guys.”