Hendrix Leads Tide To Road Win

MACON, Ga. – Richard Hendrix had 28 points and 14 rebounds in his second double-double in as many games for Alabama, leading the Crimson Tide (2-0, 0-0) over the Mercer Bears (1-1, 0-0) Tuesday night at a sold-out University Center in Macon, Ga.

Alabama led by as many as 14 points in the first half, taking a 41-33 lead to the break, behind Richard Hendrix's 14 first-half points and 11 rebounds. Mercer cut the lead to two points in the second half at 57-55, but Tide sophomore Justin Tubbs hit a three-point shot to give Alabama a 60-55 lead with 11:52 to go.

On Alabama's next possession, Hendrix was fouled on a made basket and hit the free throw, completing the three-point play and extending the Alabama lead to eight. Alabama never trailed in the second half against the Bears.

"I'm proud of our guys," Alabama Coach Mark Gottfried said. "There were a lot of good things tonight. We learned a lot, including how to play in a tough environment. Four or five days ago this team whipped Southern Cal, so our guys had to step up and play."

In addition to Hendrix's double-double, Alabama got 11 points from senior Mykal Riley and 16 from junior Alonzo Gee. Tubbs and sophomore Mikhail Torrance each had nine points, as well as freshman Senario Hillman.

Mercer was led by James Florence and Shaddean Aaron, who each had 22 points.

"We played a good game and stepped up the intensity," Hendrix said. "Mercer has a good team. After getting a win on the road against USC we knew we'd have to play well. We did a great job sharing the ball with each other and finding the open man. When I'd kick it out on double and triple teams they'd knock it down.

Alabama shot 49 percent in the game, making 35 field goals on 26 assists. The Tide turned the ball over just 10 times in the game, with only two turnovers coming in the second half. Torrance and junior Brandon Hollinger each had six assists.

"We cut our turnovers down from where they'd been," Gottfried said. "We guarded them pretty well and at key times in the game our guys executed. I thought Richard was a monster. He was great."

Alabama returns to Tuscaloosa to host Belmont next Monday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m.