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Alabama 65, South Carolina 57

Posted: Saturday March 09, 2002 08:53 PM

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TUSCALOOSA, Alabama (Ticker) -- Kenny Walker scored a season-high 21 points, including a controversial three-point play with 26 seconds left, to lead eighth-ranked Alabama past South Carolina, 65-57, and into the finals of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

Alabama, which won the SEC regular season title, advances to face Mississippi State for the automatic bid. But the Crimson Tide (26-6), who split a pair of meetings with the Bulldogs this season, virtually are assured of a berth when the field of 65 is revealed Sunday.

"Those guys (Mississippi State) are looking to get us," guard Terrance Meade said. "We have to come out with our 'A' game to beat them. Its going to be a clash tomorrow." The game was tied, 57-57, following a 3-pointer by Aaron Lucas with 72 seconds left. Erwin Dudley missed a short hook in the lane 31 seconds later for Alabama but a collision on the offensive end cost South Carolina a chance to take the lead.

Antoine Pettway took advantage of the loose ball and appeared to be on his way for a layup. He missed the basket but the ball hung on the rim and Walker was able to stuff it home.

There were two whistles blown on the sequence and it appeared that the first one came after Pettway missed. After a brief conference, the officials ruled that the basket counted and awarded Walker a free throw.

"I saw Pettway miss the basket," Walker said. "I had a good look the basket and had good timing and make the basket down the stretch. ... Obviously, it felt like someone hit me when I dunked the ball. I landed on one foot, not two." "I think it happened so quickly," Alabama coach Mark Gottfried said. "I saw the official count the basket to begin with. I just wanted them to stay with (the first call). I liked how aggressive we were on the play. That is what I liked about it." Walker drained the free throw for a 60-57 lead and Carlos Powell missed a 3-pointer for the Gamecocks with 17.4 seconds to go.

Walker grabbed the rebound, was fouled and made a free throw to seal the win.

Alabama, which will be appearing in the SEC finals for the first time since 1992, is 8-0 against teams from the SEC East this season.

The Crimson Tide won despite a seven-point performance by Rod Grizzard, who had a season-high 33 in a quarterfinal win over Tennessee.

"Were always excited to win," Gottfried said. "In the first half we had the game at a tempo we liked pushing the ball and scoring. The second half, I though the game was at their tempo.

"We found a way to win." Tony Kitchings led South Carolina (18-14) with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

"You have to give Alabama credit, theyre a great team," Kitchings said. "They fought hard." "We played an excellent basketball team, an excellent basketball game today," South Carolina coach Dave Odom said. "While there is no substitute for winning, theres a great joy in competing like that. I feel very good about the level of play, very good about the way we competed and good about how we executed." Odom and his players will have to await word Sunday, hoping for the best but knowing that they will, at worst, be headed for the National Invitation Tournament.

We definitely want to play in the NCAA like everyone else," he said. "I dont want our team to feel second class if we get into the NIT. Well be proud to be put wherever they put us." The game was tied, 23-23, but Alabama closed the half with a 15-5 burst. Alabama dominated at the free-throw line in the opening 20 minutes, making 10-of-11 attempts while the Gamecocks did not attempt a single free throw.

"I thought we got off to a good start, as did Alabama," Odom said. "Alabama had that streak in the last five or six minutes of the first half. Their spurt came at the free-throw line. They had 10 free throws at the half.

"We had none. That is obviously a big thing." The Crimson Tide led by 12 early in the second half but a 9-0 burst got the Gamecocks back into the contest.

For the game, Alabama made 20-of-26 free throws while South Carolina was 3-of-8. The Gamecocks were just 4-of-11 from 3-point range.