Alabama Alabama/LSU LSU Men's College Basketball recap on ESPN

"The coaches told me to be more aggressive," Grizzard said after scoring 19 of his 23 points in the second half as No. 18 Alabama beat LSU 82-73 on Saturday.

"I felt good about shooting the ball in the second half."

He hit all five of his 3-pointers in the final 20 minutes.

After the game, Grizzard and a teammate went over to the LSU student section and exchanged taunts. LSU's Brian Beshara confronted the Alabama players and coaches from both teams exchanged words. Alabama assistant coach Tom Kelsey tried to get to LSU head coach John Brady, but was restrained by a policeman.

"I feel we are a good team, but the SEC is so good and so deep," said Alabama coach Mark Gottfried, whose team trailed 38-36 at halftime in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

"Our guys executed, but I didn't think our defense played well in the first half. In the second half, we made a few adjustments and did much better. We had some guys really step up."

Erwin Dudley added 14 points and seven rebounds for Alabama (12-1), Terrance Meade had 13 points and Terrance Martin 10. Grizzard also grabbed seven rebounds.

The victory was Alabama's first on an opponent's home court since Jan. 20, 1999, a streak of 15 games. It also ended LSU's 14-game home winning streak, the fifth longest in school history.

"For the most part we took good shots. We got to the foul line 32 times," said Brady, whose team hit just 19 from the line. "We outrebounded them (39-30), but they were just a little better than we were for about a 10- to 12-minute stretch in the second half."

Ronald Dupree led LSU (9-2) with 21 points and 13 rebounds. He had 16 points in the second half. Collis Temple III added 18 points and Beshara had 13 points and nine rebounds.

LSU lost senior guard Lamont Roland for the season when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee late in the first half. Roland had six points and five assists.

Alabama, which trailed at halftime 38-36, took the lead for good on Grizzard's 3-pointer 52 seconds into the second half.

LSU failed to make a field goal over a 8:59 span, but the Tigers were down just 55-50 with 9:45 left. Alabama pulled away with a 15-5 run that included eight points from Grizzard. His 3-pointer with 5:13 left put the Crimson Tide ahead 70-55.

Alabama's biggest lead was 17, when Grizzard's basket put Alabama up 74-57.

ALSO SEE
Men's College Basketball Scoreboard

Alabama Clubhouse

LSU Clubhouse