TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Richard Hendrix had 19 points and 17 rebounds and Alabama beat LSU 81-72 on Saturday in a battle of teams tied for last in the Southeastern Conference Western Division.
The Crimson Tide (13-9, 2-5 Southeastern Conference) scored the final six points to hold off a last rally attempt, including a pair of dunks and four straight free throws over the final 37 seconds.
Hendrix heaved a long inbounds pass to Alonzo Gee for a breakaway dunk to give Alabama a 75-69 lead, but 6-foot-11 Chris Johnson answered with a quick 3-pointer for LSU (8-13, 1-6) with 33 seconds left.
Once again, the Tide took it straight to the basket. Hendrix dunked off a pass from Senario Hillman with 24 seconds to play. Hillman stole the ball from Marcus Thornton and hit two free throws to seal the win.
Mykal Riley had 16 of his 19 points in the first half for Alabama but picked up his fourth foul with 17 minutes left. Gee finished with 15 points and Brandon Hollinger added 10. Hendrix and Hillman each had four of the Tide’s 12 steals.
Thornton had 22 points for his sixth straight game scoring at least 20. He made only 7-of-19 shots after pouring in 38 points Wednesday night against Auburn, the highest total in an SEC matchup in 13 years. That gave LSU its first league win.
Anthony Randolph added 13 points and 12 rebounds while Chris Johnson also had 13 points and Terry Martin added 12.
LSU kept it close by hitting 21-of-22 free throw attempts to overcome 37 percent shooting.
The Tigers trailed by eight points at halftime and took their first lead of the game on Thornton’s 3-pointer with 14 minutes to play, at 48-46. They opened the second half on a 13-3 run.
After Riley went to the bench with his fourth foul on a scramble for a loose ball, Alabama went more than 4 minutes without scoring.
The Tide rebuilt its lead to nine points, but LSU closed to within four points four times after that. Hollinger’s 3-pointer from the top of the key with 2:09 left pushed it back to eight.
LSU Head Coach John Brady
“Overall we played hard enough and had opportunities to win the game. The other night at Auburn we made plays. Tonight, we had some opportunities and were not able to do it. We played Alabama even and I’m proud of my team for that.”
“The first 15 minutes of the game defensively and from an execution stand point of the game plan, I don’t know where we were. I had to get an aneurism to get our team figured out.”
“The last five minutes of the first half we started playing better. At half time, we talked it out at our campfire meeting during half time. Then, we played better the second half defensively by taking them off of the three point line. The second half they didn’t do as well behind the arch as they first half.”
LSU Player Quotes
#14 Garrett Temple (G)
“We had a couple of attempts that got away from us in the first half. It was just tough. On the road, you’ve got to get those little bunnies. We did a good job of playing real scrappy in the second half and we came back. When you’re on a high like that and you can’t finish, it almost deflates the team. We did a pretty good job of not letting it get to us. At the end, we still had a chance to win the game. We try to avoid as many mistakes as possible.”
#3 Anthony Randolph (F)
“We are working out hard. Down low, we’re taking it to the basket. We were just doing what we were asked by the coaches. We have to play through the calls and we did.”
Head Coach Mark Gottfried
Opening Statement
“I am very excited for our players and I thought they fought pretty hard against LSU. The thing you have to remember about our conference is it’s hard. You take look at our record and LSU’s record and we are both tough basketball teams. John Brady does an excellent job with his guys. For our guys today, this was a gutsy win. It was tough and hard fought win. I think we had a lot of guys that made some key plays. I am just very proud of everyone today.”
On Richard Hendrix:
“What’s interesting about Richard is that he is such a great player. Those number he had today, 9-18 on the field, is so unusual because he is so good. Usually, he is 9-12 or 10-13. I thought he got bumped around a good bit today, but he kept on fighting and did a great job rebounding the ball.”
Alabama Player Quotes
Alonzo Gee
On team’s free throw shooting:
“It was pretty good because we have been struggling (with free throws) all year. It was good that we stepped up as a team and made big free throws. With all the practicing that we are doing, it’s coming along now.”
“In practice we have been working on strictly being aggressive on the defensive end. Just guarding the ball well. It payed off. We guarded the ball well tonight. They made some big shots, but we still did a good job on the defensive end.”
Richard Hendrix
“I just feel like it’s my role. I have to be the one that is efficient and brings it every night. Tonight, the credit all goes to my teammates. I didn’t necessarily have a high percentage day that I would like to have. They kept giving me the ball and kept making it happen. They were knocking down outside shots and that’s what helped us get the win.”
On Brandon Hollinger:
“Brandon is capable of doing that. He is one of our guards who is able to create his own shot. His handles are so good and he’s so quick that you have to respect his dribble. Add the dimension where he can take it into the lane like he did today, that only makes his shot that much better. He’s a good player. I’m glad these guys are turning it on right now.”
“We felt like we had to get this one. We know that just like we feel about ourselves, LSU is a good team they have just had some misfortunes. We also feel like we had to take advantage of the misfortunes and get a win today.”