Dec. 13, 2008

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama men's basketball team (5-3) fell in overtime to Texas A&M (7-1), 86-78, Saturday night at Coleman Coliseum, snapping the Crimson Tide's four-game win streak.

The Tide trailed for the bulk of the second half until senior Ronald Steele nailed a three pointer with 6:08 remaining to tie the game at 60-60. With the score tied 67-67, sophomore Justin Knox completed a three-point play off an offensive rebound to give the Tide a 70-67 lead. Alabama made 3-4 free throws in the final minute and held a 73-70 lead before A&M's B.J. Holmes sank a three with 1.4 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

"First of all, we have to give credit to Texas A&M," head coach Mark Gottfried said. "They made big shots when they needed them. I think, obviously, it could have been a different game. We had some times when we were up three or four points with the momentum. Our guys dug down. We put ourselves in a position and we fought back; we just didn't win the game."

Four Alabama players scored in double figures led by senior Alonzo Gee's 19 points. Gee has led the team in scoring in his last four outings. Ron Steele stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, seven boards and six assists. He led the team in both rebounding and assists.

"I thought we came out and played well," Gee said. "We played solid. Down the stretch they were just able to make some big shots. They got some big offensive rebounds, and they just executed."

Sophomore Senario Hillman scored in double figures for the sixth straight game posting 17 points. Freshman JaMychal Green added 13 points in only 19 minutes as he spent the majority of the game in foul trouble before fouling out with 1:13 left in regulation.

The Tide shot 41 percent (26-64) for the game and 26 percent (5-19) from behind the arc compared to 44 percent (27-61) from the field for the Aggies and 38 percent (8-21) from deep. This is the first game in the last five that Alabama has allowed an opponent to shoot better than 40 percent from the field. The Aggies held the edge on the glass, out-rebounding the Tide, 45-37.

Alabama led by as many as 14 points in the first half but entered the break trailing 39-36. The Tide built a 27-13 lead in the first 10 minutes behind a fast start from Green who scored all eight of his first half points in the first five minutes.

Texas A&M mounted a comeback by shooting 50 percent from the field before the break and a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line. Alabama shot 48 percent prior to intermission. Gee and Hillman each scored nine points to lead the Tide in the first frame.

Texas A&M's Josh Carter led all scorers with 23 points. Carter went 5-8 from beyond the arc. Bryan Davis added 15 points and nine rebounds for the Aggies.

The Tide plays its fourth straight home game Wednesday, Dec. 17 when Tennessee State pays a visit to Coleman Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.