No. 1 seed Alabama overtakes Texas A&M-CC; Aimless Miller

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Alabama buried Texas A&M-Corpus Christi under an early 3-point onslaught, tossing the NCAA Tournament seed to a 96-75 in the first round on Thursday, even with star rookie Brandon Miller scoreless.

The Crimson Tide (30-5) put aside their off-court distractions and buried 10 3s in the first half in an easy and predictable win over the 16th-seeded Islanders (24-11) at Legacy Arena, less than an hour from campus.

Miller, the All-American who was beset by questions about his presence at the scene of a fatal shooting, missed the final 14 minutes and missed all five field goal attempts. His previous low was eight points against Houston on Dec. 10.

Miller was not charged with any crime in the shooting, which led to capital murder charges against then-teammate Darius Miles and another man.

Alabama didn’t need the 6-foot-9 freshman to have a big game to qualify to face eighth-seeded Maryland on Saturday in the South Region. The Tide caved in after leading 54-34 at halftime.

Nick Pringle, a junior college transfer who averaged 3 points per game, scored 17 points and recorded a season-high 13 rebounds. Mark Sears had three 3s in 58 seconds of the first half and scored 15 points. Jahvon Quinerly scored 13 and Nimari Burnett scored 11.

Noah Clowney scored his 10 points in the opening five minutes, including three 3s.

Trevian Tennyson led the Islanders with 20 points. Isaach Mushula scored 16 and Owen Dease 14. The Islanders have never beaten a ranked team.

Coach Steve Lutz has propelled the Islanders to back-to-back NCAA tournaments since taking over a team that was 5-19 the year prior to his arrival.

The Islanders were without Terrion Murdix (left knee injury), the Southland League Defensive Player of the Year.

BIG PICTURE

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi: Advanced with its first tournament win in a playoff against Southeast Missouri State.

Alabama: Was 8 of 11 3 ahead and 15 of 33 (45.5%) in the game. I have to play in an arena full of purple and white against the big underdogs.

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