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Thompson hits game-winner as Hoyas upset Crimson Tide

Dec 2, 2011 - 5:49 AM Tuscaloosa, AL (Sports Network) - Hollis Thompson buried a three-pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining and ended Alabama's 24-game home winning streak in the process, as the Georgetown Hoyas took down the 12th-ranked Crimson Tide, 57-55.

Georgetown (6-1) held a nine-point lead with 2:57 to play, but Alabama scored the next 10 points to go on top 55-54 on two Trevor Releford free throws with 12.7 seconds remaining.

The suddenly raucous Coleman Coliseum crowd was quieted, however, when Thompson pulled up from well beyond the three-point line along the right wing and drained the game-winner with a hand in his face.

"We wanted to get Jason Clark to come off the screen set by Henry Sims," recalled Georgetown head coach John Thompson III of the last possession. "We couldn't get the first part of the play done. They defended the first part very well but Hollis was able to get open and do what Hollis does."

Levi Randolph's heave from beyond halfcourt fell off the rim to seal Alabama's first home loss (7-1) since February 27, 2010 against Mississippi.

Jason Clark scored 22 points in Georgetown's fourth straight win, while Henry Sims and Thompson finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Tony Mitchell netted 20 points and pulled down nine rebounds to pace 'Bama.

Alabama did not score in the final 4 1/2 minutes of the first half, and Clark's personal 7-0 run gave the Hoyas a 23-16 lead at the break.

It stayed close throughout the second half, with Sims pouring in seven straight points for a 47-41 lead with just under six minutes to play.

Thompson's layup pushed the margin to a game-high nine points, 54-45, with 2:57 showing, but Alabama rallied behind its home fans.

JaMychal Green made back-to-back buckets to start the 10-point flurry, and Mitchell added a three-pointer and a free throw around Sims' missed reverse layup.

After Sims missed a hook shot in the lane, Releford was fouled away from the basket with 12.7 seconds on the clock. Both free throws were made, but plenty of time remained for the Hoyas to steal back the win.

"We had some breakdowns during the [final] play," Alabama head coach Anthony Grant said. "We talked about what we needed to do from a defensive standpoint in the timeout but unfortunately we didn't get it done on the court."

Game Notes

The game was part of the Big East/SEC Challenge...Alabama had allowed its first seven opponents to shoot a combined 32 percent from the floor, but the Hoyas made 44 percent of their shots...Green totaled 13 points for the Tide, who shot just 3-for-16 from three-point range.