Alabama plays 3-on-5 basketball after fight, ejections and injury
Crimson Tide's entire bench was tossed after the 2 teams got into a scuffle
It's not March Madness but things got more than a little crazy between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Alabama Crimson Tide, who finished with just three players in the championship game of the Barclays Center Classic on Saturday.
Alabama's Collin Sexton and Minnesota's Nate Mason earned a double technical for a heated back and forth. Mason was then ejected from the game, which did not go over well with head coach Richard Pitino, who received a technical foul as well.
That was only the beginning. A scuffle broke out between the two teams, which resulted in the entire Crimson Tide bench getting ejected from the game.
Brawl at Barclays. Wow. <a href="https://t.co/PbKjqfJtox">pic.twitter.com/PbKjqfJtox</a>
—@robbierosenhausThis is what the Alabama basketball bench looks like right now in their game against the Gophers...everyone got ejected. <a href="https://t.co/C35gSumNzU">pic.twitter.com/C35gSumNzU</a>
—@ZachHalversonWith five players and no reserves, the Crimson Tide played with the remaining full squad until point guard Dazon Ingram fouled out. Then with 11 minutes remaining on the clock, the Crimson Tide lost yet another player, this time due to injury, giving the Gophers a five-on-three advantage with over 10 minutes remaining.
Game over? Not for the gritty Alabama trio, who outscored Minnesota 30-22 to cut the Gophers' 17-point lead to just three points with over a minute to go.
Alabama basketball team playing 5 on 3 after ejections/fouled out. <a href="https://t.co/XcWanbAgnM">pic.twitter.com/XcWanbAgnM</a>
—@ThePunchMunchAlabama's ENTIRE BENCH was ejected vs Minnesota and they are now playing 5 on 3 😳 Young Bull and Big Jelly are still trading baskets 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/gnmGTM9TQf">pic.twitter.com/gnmGTM9TQf</a>
—@overtimeBama got in a brawl and their whole bench + 2 starters were ejected so they had to play 3v5 for 10 minutes <a href="https://t.co/PJwhjxLRZQ">pic.twitter.com/PJwhjxLRZQ</a>
—@RTNBAAlabama basketball deserves to be moved up in the rankings for that. 3 on 5 and you outscore the other team?
—@__AF8The Minnesota - Alabama basketball game might be the weirdest thing I've ever heard of in college sports. And the fact that the Gophers almost blew a 17 point lead playing 5 on 3 is amazing in itself. Just crazy.
—@storminspank