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BOX SCORE
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- It was hard for Alabama to use injuries as an excuse Saturday.
Alabama assistant coach Robert Scott, who hadn't missed a game
all season as he battles stomach cancer, called before the Crimson
Tide's game against No. 22 Vanderbilt (No. 23 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll; No. 22 AP) and said he wasn't feeling well enough to make it.
The Tide, down to just eight players because of a season-long
string of untimely injures, then dedicated the game and the rest of
the season to Scott, a former Alabama player.
The intensity showed early, as Doc Martin scored 19 points and
the undermanned Tide upset Vanderbilt 77-63.
"We don't know how much longer he's going to be with us, so we
wanted to play for him," Martin said. "It's something we all
talked about. It's sad, though, that something like this has to
happen for us to play hard."
Scott watched the first half on television at home and saw the
Tide apply a relentless pressure that forced Vanderbilt (16-5, 6-4)
into a sloppy, poor-shooting performance.
The Commodores shot just 36 percent for the game, 23 percent in
the first half as they fell behind 38-23 at the break.
Scott then gathered all his strength and made it to the game
with about two minutes left. He took his usual spot on the bench.
"As we all know, when you are fighting a fight like he is
fighting, you have some days that are better than others and today
was just a real tough day for him," said Alabama coach Mark
Gottfried, fighting back tears.
"It's easy to feel sorry for yourself, and as a coach, and
we've got all these guys out. But our players see that everyday and
they wanted to get this one for Robert."
The Tide (11-11, 4-6 Southeastern Conference) snapped a
three-game losing streak despite having six scholarship players --
including leading scorer Schea Cotton -- in street clothes because
of injuries.
That left the Tide with only eight players, including five
freshman and two walk-ons.
Three freshmen started for the Tide and each scored in double
figures -- Erwin Dudley with 18 points, Terrance Meade with 17 and
Rod Grizzard with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
"For the most part we let a bunch of freshmen kick our tails,"
Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings said. "It's kind of disappointing
that our seniors would let that happen."
Vanderbilt's Dan Langhi, the SEC's leading scorer at 22 points
per game, was held to 15 points on 5-of-14 shooting. The 6-foot-11
Langhi was guarded most of the day by Martin, a 6-foot-3 guard, and
walk-on Jim Bakken, who played eight minutes.
Sam Howard scored 14 points for the Commodores and James Strong
added 12.
Vanderbilt had just one field goal in the final nine minutes of
the first half.
"We had some guys putting their heads between their legs early
because they weren't making shots," Stalling said. "Today was a
day, when if you had enough players, you'd sit some of the guys at
the 10 minute mark of the first half through the rest of the game
and teach them a lesson."
The scoring woes continued early in the second. It took the
Commodores more than three minutes of the second half to score
their first points, a layup by Langhi that cut it to 45-25 with
16:26 to play.
That started an 8-0 run that cut the score to 45-33, the closest
Vanderbilt would get the rest of the game. Alabama answered it with
3-pointers by Martin and Tarik London and a layup by Dudley that
pushed it back to 53-33 with 13:00 to play.
Vanderbilt shot just 9-of-27 from 3-point range and was
outrebounded by the smaller Tide 38-27.
"Today is just a day I'll never forget," Gottfried said.
"Vanderbilt is ranked, we've got six scholarships and two walk-ons
and our guys just played their hearts out."
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ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Vanderbilt Clubhouse
Alabama Clubhouse
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