Alabama Guard Latrell Wrightsell’s Second Half Hits Keep Crimson Tide Unbeaten

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama’s No. 2 basketball team overcame an early-season scare on Monday night as the Crimson Tide defeated the McNeese State Cowboys 72-64 to remain unbeaten through the first three games of the season.

Alabama struggled with shooting for more than nine minutes in the second half but managed to put together enough offense to hang on for the win. Who shouldered the Crimson Tide’s offensive burden amidst the second-half scramble? Graduate guard Latrell Wrightsell.

As the season continued to heat up, Wrightsell reached season highs with 15 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. The veteran guard missed a significant portion of the season due to injury and started the season somewhat slowly, making just two of his first 13 three-pointers in his first two games. His shooting touch appeared to be back on Monday as he went five of nine from beyond the arc, including four in the second half, to secure the win for Alabama.

“Yeah, I mean, that’s what we expected from him,” Nate Oats said. “He’s another one who missed the exhibition due to injury, so he’s getting back into his rhythm now. He wasn’t one for nine last game. Some of them were good shots that he just missed. Some of them, you know, you have to understand what’s a good shot and what’s not. If he’s been out for a month It’s hard to do some things if you don’t practice like that. He turned some down, and I wish he had made it. I thought since he shot it tonight, if he had made three or four more and made 12 or 13 threes, that would have been great because he was the best player in the country in my opinion. He’s one of the good shooters.”

Wrightsell’s 12 second-half points paced the Crimson Tide in the second half, doubling Grant Nelson’s six points as the Alabama offense struggled in the second frame. His third three-pointer of the second half increased the Crimson Tide’s lead to 21 before Alabama went cold.

As the underdogs rallied, McNeese State was able to cut Alabama’s lead to six at 60-54, but it was Wrightsell who hit his fourth three-pointer of the second half, increasing the lead back to nine in just over five minutes. play, stop the drought, and lead Alabama to victory.

“I mean, I train every day,” Wrightsell said on his final try. “I didn’t even realize it, but I’m grateful to my teammates for finding me when I was open, trusting my shot and being fair. I’ll shoot when I’m ready.”

The Crimson Tide enters tough non-conference action against Purdue on Friday. Wrightsell’s return to form as one of the nation’s most dangerous shooters will go a long way toward helping Alabama navigate the nation’s toughest nonconference schedule.