NCAA Game Summary - LSU at Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL (SportsNetwork.com) - Rodney Cooper scored 19 points and blocked a shot as time expired to lift the Alabama Crimson Tide to an 82-80 triumph over the LSU Tigers in an SEC thriller at Coleman Coliseum.

Trevor Releford tallied 21 points to pace Alabama (9-10, 3-3 SEC), which ended a two-game slide. Shannon Hale contributed 17 points and six assists, while Levi Randolph tacked on 14 points.

Johnny O'Bryant III recorded 18 points to lead five players in double figures for LSU (12-6, 3-3), which has lost three straight. Shavon Coleman added 13 points, Andre Stringer chipped in 12, Jordan Mickey logged 11 and Anthony Hickey netted 10.

Alabama was in complete control at halftime, leading 36-23 after shooting 44.8 percent from the field in the opening period. LSU connected on just 32.1 percent in the frame.

The Tigers rallied in the second half by connecting on 58.8 percent from the field. They used a 28-11 run through the first 10 minutes to pull within two points and finally took a 72-71 lead with 4:16 to play. There would be five lead changes from there, with the Crimson Tide pulling ahead for good on a Hale 3-pointer with 46 seconds to play.

However, the Tigers had a chance to win or force overtime after Cooper split a pair of free-throws with five seconds remaining. Jarell Martin collected the rebound off of Cooper's miss and got the ball to Hickey, who went the length of the floor, but had his shot rejected by Cooper on the other end.