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TUSCALOOSA | Despite an unruly visitor who wanted to burn the house, the University of Alabama's basketball team escaped Monday night with a slight disturbance.
Murray State's Ja Morant scored 38 points in a spectacular performance, but Alabama took advantage of his superior size and some shots taken by rookie leader Kira Lewis to hang on to a 78-72 win over the Racers.
Morant scored 16 of 29 shots and six of nine free-kicks.
"Nine times out of ten, we see guys on film and when they enter the building, they are no longer alike," said Alabama striker John Petty. "He was the same. It's exactly what we saw on the movie – a great player. "
The Alabama was just two points ahead (70-68) with 26 seconds to go, but the Crimson Tide was able to close the win with 8 shots on 8 in the far right.
"I tried to explain that they had a high-level player who could win the game on their own and that the other players were complementary and would give up," said Alabama coach Avery Johnson. "Now they understand what I told them."
The scarlet tide (5-1) started slowly, with a 13-7 delay in the first seven minutes. But UA responded with a record of 18-5 and progressed with a 10-point lead at half-time, 39-29.
The Racers (3-1) eliminated their lead almost immediately after coming out of the locker room, starting with a 10-2 run and taking a 44-43 lead on the Morant Rink with 15:19 to play. Lewis hit two clutch jumpers in the next five minutes and Alabama took the lead in advance on a lay-up of Galin Smith with 9:10 to go, but the Crimson Tide never had the time to breathe.
"We have returned the ball too much," Johnson said. "Not enough times we had two eyes on the ball, two hands on the ball. But I am proud of ourselves for overcoming difficulties and having beaten a very good team. "
Lewis led Alabama in goals for the second straight game, with 20 points and three assists. Petty had 16 points and seven rebounds despite his four 3-point attempts.
"Give alabama a lot of credit," said Murray State coach Matt McMahon. "They made Ja work for everything he had. He had a good game but we should have helped him more. Their size made the task difficult around the basket.
Alabama will be back on Thursday night in central Florida.
Reach Cecil Hurt at [email protected] or 205-722-0225.
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