Alabama’s Success Is Long-Range : Three-Point Shots Contribute to Another USC Loss, 78-69

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Alvin Lee scored 33 points and tied a school record with 8 three-point baskets as Alabama rallied to beat USC, 78-69, Saturday.

The Crimson Tide, trailing at halftime, 33-31, outscored the Trojans, 12-4, in the first five minutes of the second half. Michael Ansley, held scoreless in the first half, scored six points in the run.

“It wasn’t a pretty win, but I don’t think we judge it on whether it was beautiful or not,” Alabama Coach Wimp Sanderson said. “We will take a win anyway we can get it.”

Alabama (4-0) had its largest lead of the day, 10 points, when Ansley sank a seven-foot bank shot at 12:54. USC (1-4) closed the gap to 65-61 with 4:23 remaining after Dave Wiltz scored on a layup.

But Alabama pulled away for good when Lee, a junior college transfer who was 9 of 12 from the floor including 8 of 11 from three-point range, made two free throws. Lee didn’t miss in seven free-throw attempts.

Keith Askins scored a slam dunk at the buzzer for Alabama. The Crimson Tide shot 51% and made 59% of its free throws. It was 9 of 13 on three-point attempts.

USC shot 61%, including 10 of 14 on three-point attempts, but the Trojans were only 45% from the line. Birmingham’s Chris Moore led USC in scoring with 14 points.

“I thought Wimp did a good job getting his team ready to play,” Trojan Coach George Raveling said. “I thought we played well, but we didn’t play smart. It’s obvious we have a lot of work to do.”