TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — JaMychal Green and Senario Hillman scored 12 points each to lead Alabama to a 74-46 victory over Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday.
Mikhail Torrance and Charvez Davis added 11 points each for the Crimson Tide (6-2), which never trailed.
“From the very beginning, we set the tempo of the game,” Alabama coach Anthony Grant said. “(Our pressure defense) was the difference in the game. Our energy in the pressure defense was very good. We were able to get turnovers and easy baskets. We did a very good job of sharing the basketball, and from a defensive standpoint, did a very good job of taking away their strengths. We stayed aggressive and attacked whatever defense they gave us. Other than rebounding, we played to our identity.”
Torrance also had a game-high nine assists and freshman Tony Mitchell had eight rebounds.
Lawrence Gilbert had 10 points and Tommie Sykes added seven rebounds for Louisiana-Monroe (3-5).
Alabama, with Anthony Brock scoring eight points, jumped out to a 20-3 lead.
The Crimson Tide shot 69.2 percent from the floor and the Warhawks started by missing six of their first seven shots.
“I thought we did a good job of focusing on this game,” Davis said. “We needed to get better, and I think that we came out and did that. There weren’t really any major distractions.”
Louisiana-Monroe narrowed the gap to 24-12 at the 7:59 mark, but the Crimson Tide went on an 8-1 run to extend the lead. Alabama led 38-23 at the half.
“Well, the bottom line is that Alabama is just a better team,” Louisiana-Monroe coach Orlando Early said. “They just kicked us in every aspect of the game and they were the better team. The press really, really bothered us.
“We’ve turned the ball over this year, and did a better job last game, but they forced us into 23 turnovers and we just can’t do that against the press. Hats off to Anthony Grant and his team, though. They did a great job pressing us.”
Alabama opened the second half by scoring six straight points to push its advantage to 44-23.
LOUISIANA-MONROE (3-5)
Hooper 2-9 2-2 7, Turner 2-3 0-0 4, Forbes 2-11 0-0 5, Gilbert 4-6 0-0 10, Hill 1-3 1-2 3, Fuselier 2-2 0-1 4, Carr 0-3 0-0 0, Sykes 1-3 5-6 7, Thomas 0-2 0-0 0, Ribeiro 3-5 0-0 6, Burt 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 17-48 8-11 46.
ALABAMA (6-2)
Brock 3-9 0-0 8, Torrance 3-6 5-5 11, Mitchell 4-10 0-0 8, Hillman 6-8 0-0 12, Green 6-10 0-3 12, Eblen 2-3 0-0 4, Cage 0-0 0-0 0, Davis 4-8 0-0 11, Knox 0-3 4-4 4, Hines 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 30-60 9-12 74.
Halftime—Alabama 38-23. 3-Point Goals—Louisiana-Monroe 4-12 (Gilbert 2-4, Forbes 1-4, Hooper 1-4), Alabama 5-18 (Davis 3-7, Brock 2-5, Eblen 0-1, Torrance 0-1, Hillman 0-1, Mitchell 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Louisiana-Monroe 36 (Sykes 7), Alabama 29 (Mitchell 8). Assists—Louisiana-Monroe 5 (Carr 2), Alabama 17 (Torrance 9). Total Fouls—Louisiana-Monroe 15, Alabama 16. A—8,502.
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