Crimson Tide sinks Dogs in OT
By By Mark Etheridge / EMG Sports Writer
Jan. 16, 2003
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. Ninth ranked Alabama extended their home winning streak to 28 games with a come-from-behind 68-62 overtime victory over fourteenth Mississippi State.
Erwin Dudley tallied 23 points and 8 rebounds and Antoine Pettway hit a driving layup at the end of regulation to send the game to overtime as Alabama improved to 12-2 and 2-1 in the SEC.
The loss drops State to 0-3 in the SEC and 10-4 overall. The Bulldogs had won 10 straight to rise to No. 7 in last week's Associated Press poll.
The teams traded runs throughout as game with Mississippi State owning the first half. At one time, MSU raced out to 36-19 lead before Alabama cut the lead to 12 at intermission.
The teams matched each other run for run down the stretch. A Zimmerman back door cut off an inbounds pass knotted the game at 53 with just over a minute left. After a pair of empty trips for both sides, Bama center Kenny Walker went to the line for a one and one at the 23 second mark. He missed the front end giving MSU the opportunity to take the last shot. Austin made a beautiful assist to Timmy Bowers who converted a lay up with 9 seconds left.
The MSU defense concentrated on Mo Williams as the point guard raced down the floor. Williams found Pettway in the corner. Pettway passed up a contested three and drove to the basket for a lay in.
Another top matchup focused on two of the SECs best point guards, Zimmerman and Alabama's Williams a Jackson, Miss., native. Zimmerman won the battle early as he drew a pair of fouls on Williams sending his to the bench. Williams countered with a fiery half-time speech to his teammates who responded with an impressive run pulling the game even at the ten minute mark.
Pettway's basket inspired Alabama and the Tide outscored MSU 13-7 in overtime. The big shot came with 30 seconds remaining as Williams hit a fall away three from the top of the key.
The loss drops the Bulldogs to 10-4 overall and 0-3 in the league. "Well I am not going to say I am happy about it," Stansbury said. "I am not going to panic either. We have played Florida, a top five team on the road in Alabama, and LSU on the road. Those are three good teams."
Alabama faces a stern test Saturday against surprising SEC West leader Auburn. MSU gets the weekend off before facing South Carolina Wednesday night.
