Alabama Guard Latrell Wrightsell’s second-half shooting keeps the Crimson Tide undefeated

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama’s basketball team No. 2 survived an early season upset Monday night as the Crimson Tide defeated the McNeese State Cowboys 72-64 to remain undefeated through the first three games of the season.

Alabama endured a nine-plus-minute field goal drought in the second half, but was able to scrape together just enough offense to hold on for the win. Who shouldered the load offensively for the Crimson Tide amid their second-half struggles? Graduated guard Latrell Wrightsell.

Wrightsell scored a season-high 15 points along with two rebounds and two assists as his season continues to heat up. The veteran guard missed significant portions of the offseason with injury and started the season a bit slow, making just two of his first 13 three-point attempts in his first two games. His shooting stroke appeared to have returned on Monday as he made five-of-nine from beyond the arc, including four in the second half to seal an Alabama win.

“Yeah, I mean, that’s what we expected him to be,” Nate Oats said. “He’s another one who missed the exhibitions with an injury, so he’s just now getting back into his rhythm. That one-for-nine that wasn’t him last game. Some of them were good shots, he just missed. Some of them, you know. , you’ve got to get a feel for what’s a good shot, what’s not, if you don’t practice, like he was out a month I thought he had a much better feel or four more and get 12 or 13 threes up, that would be great because he’s one of the best shooters in the country in my opinion.”

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

McNeese State was able to cut Alabama’s lead to six at 60-54 as the underdogs rallied, but it was Wrightsell again who made his fourth three-point shot of the second half that extended the lead to nine with just over five minutes to play, end the drought and propel Alabama to victory.

“I mean, I just work out every day,” Wrightsell said on his final mark. going to shoot when I’m ready.”

The Crimson Tide enter a challenging stretch of non-conference action beginning on Friday against Purdue. Wrightsell, returning to form as one of the nation’s most dangerous shooters, will go a long way in helping Alabama navigate the nation’s most difficult non-conference schedule.