Alabama pulls away early in 2nd half, beats Coastal Carolina

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Last season, Alabama coach Avery Johnson waited seven games to watch point guard Dazon Ingram shoot the only 3-pointer of his freshman season before his season ended shortly after due to injury.

Johnson didn't have to wait long Friday night as Ingram made three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points to help the Crimson Tide beat Coastal Carolina 70-53.

''Now he's in a rhythm. He shot quality 3's tonight,'' Johnson said of Ingram. ''We think he has triple-double type ability where he can score, pass, and rebound, but also play the defensive end and guard multiple positions.''

The Crimson Tide opened the second half on a 20-5 run and cruised from there.

Corban Collins led Alabama with 15 points. Riley Norris had 14 points and Ingram added 11 for the Crimson Tide, who shot just 3 of 10 from 3-point range in the first half, but finished 10 of 26 from beyond the arc.

Colton Ray-St Cyr had 13 points and Elijah Wilson chipped in 12 points to lead Coastal Carolina.

Coastal Carolina led 33-27 at halftime. Norris's layup gave Alabama a 39-38 lead four minutes into the second half. Jimmie Taylor split a pair of free throws to cap the 20-5 run and the Crimson Tide led 47-38. Collins scored five points during the stretch.

''We took our time more and nothing really changed,'' Collins said. ''We just took the same shots that we took in the first half.''

Ingram's 3-pointer made it 60-48 with 4:43 remaining.

The Chanticleers shot 7 of 14 from 3-point range in the first half, but just 2 of 9 after the break.

BIG PICTURE

Alabama: The Crimson Tide's slow start suggests the team's chemistry needs work. Six of the 12 players to see the court had never participated in a regular season game inside Coleman Coliseum before Friday night. ''We wanted to start off with some really good competition in our first home game, because this one on Tuesday (against Dayton) is going to be a monster,'' Johnson said.

Coastal Carolina: The Chanticleers might have second-half issue. They scored only 20 points and were outrebounded 20-16 after halftime.

UP NEXT:

The Crimson Tide will attempt to avenge a 32-point loss, its worst of last season, when they host Dayton on Tuesday.

Coastal Carolina hosts its first home game of the season against the College of Charleston on Monday.