Alabama Crimson Tide vs Arizona Wildcats Match Player Stats On Dec 09, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Dec 10, 2017

Freshman DeAndre Ayton scored a career-high 29 points and corralled 18 rebounds to help Arizona defeat Alabama 88-82 on Saturday night at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.

Ayton helped Arizona (7-3) clinch the game in the final four minutes, delivering seven consecutive points with the score tied at 76.

It was Ayton's eighth double-double in his first 10 games.

Alabama freshman guard Collin Sexton had 30 points to lead the Crimson Tide (7-3). Donta Hall added 15 points.

The teams were tied at 67 when Arizona was able to take a 70-67 lead with eight minutes left.

But Arizona outscored Alabama 12-6 in the final four minutes.

Sexton picked up his third personal foul with just more than 17 minutes left and Alabama leading 51-45. He eventually fouled out with 8.5 seconds left.

Arizona played from behind for some of the second half, but Rawle Alkins inched Arizona closer with a basket with 16:33 left and Brandon Randolph followed 15 seconds later to make it 51-49 Alabama. It was Alkins' first basket of the season.

Alkins picked up his fourth foul with 7:26 left in the game and didn't return until 3:18 remaining. He finished with seven points.

Alabama's Daniel Giddens hit a shot with one second left on the shot clock on an inbound play to make it 53-49.

Arizona was hoping to get some energy and defense from Alkins, who had been out the entire season because of a foot injury. He entered the game with 17:06 left in the first half.

Arizona and Alabama exchanged baskets for the first four minutes of the game before Arizona took a seemingly comfortable lead at 24-13 as it went on a 9-0 run. But Alabama outscored Arizona 13-2 in a 3 1/2-minute stretch to tie it at 26.

Ayton kept Arizona in the lead for most of the first half with 15 points and nine rebounds.

Sexton hit a 3-pointer at the half to give Alabama a 40-38 halftime lead. He finished with nine points at the half.