By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay
Jalil Bethea scored 21 points and Labaron Philon Jr. and London Jemison added 20 apiece Sunday, leading the 12th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide to an easy 97-55 victory over the UTSA Roadrunners.
Bethea hit five 3-pointers while Philon, a sophomore from Mobile, Ala, added seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Jemison knocked down six field goals and six free throws.
Alabama capitalized on 18 UTSA turnovers, turning them into 34 points. The Tide also dominated on the glass, 57-41, including 19-9 on the offensive end.
“Thirty four points off turnovers, and we’re a program that prides ourselves on not turning it over,” UTSA coach Austin Claunch told Andy Everett on the team’s post-game radio broadcast. “That’s the big key.”
Because Alabama entered the game shooting 49.3 percent from the field, Claunch took heart in his players’ effort in holding a high-powered team to 39 percent.
UTSA came in ranked 25th in the nation in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to 37.9 percent.
“They’re a really good team,” Claunch said. “Ninety seven doesn’t really tell the story. I thought we competed defensively and did a lot of good things.”
The Roadrunners entered the game looking to end a couple of streaks — they ‘re winless against Top 25 opponents since 1994 and against power conference foes since 2009 — but they couldn’t get it done against the Tide.
Alabama, playing on its home court in Tuscaloosa at Coleman Coliseum, held UTSA to 17 points in the first half. After building a 39-point lead intermission, they cruised to their seventh win in nine games.
Jamir Simpson led the Roadrunners with 20 points. UTSA’s leading scorer for the season made seven of 17 shots from the field and two of eight from 3-point distance. Dorian Hayes scored 12 points and hit four 3-pointers in the second half.
First half
Playing harassing defense and crashing the offensive boards, Alabama also hit 11 three-point baskets and raced to a 56-17 lead.
Crimson Tide guard Jalil Bethea led the way with 16 points by hitting four of seven from beyond the arc. Labaron Philon Jr. and Latrell Wrightsell had 10 points each.
Alabama won the battle on the offensive boards, 11-4, and also forced 11 turnovers.
The Roadrunners were limited to six field goals and 23 percent shooting from the field. Jamir Simpson had seven points on two of seven from the field.
Records
UTSA 4-5
Alabama 7-2
Coming up
UTSA at Colorado, Dec. 13, 3 p.m.