Alabama basketball's Cliff Omoruyi and teammates react to perfect shooting streak before Sweet 16
CLEVELAND — Lately, Alabama basketball has had a thing for starting streaks.
In six seasons of Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats, the program has made five March Madness runs. For the second time in program history, Alabama (27-8) has made three straight Sweet 16 appearances. Until under four minutes were on the clock in Sunday's second round showdown, big man Clifford Omoruyi hadn't missed a shot since about nine minutes into the first half of Alabama's SEC Tournament semifinal against Florida.
After the No. 2 seed Crimson Tide's 80-66 win to bounce No. 7 seed Saint Mary's, Omoruyi and his teammates reacted to the news, and reflected on the reverse lob that tore the lid off of Rocket Arena.
Omoruyi's streak ended with the wild play that brought his teammates and the stands to their feet as Alabama led Saint Mary's (29-6) 70-60 with 5:26 to play.
"If you see the video of me, I was freaking out," forward Grant Nelson said. "It's good to see. Cliff can pretty much go up and catch any lob and dunk on pretty much anyone."
Crimson Tide top scorer Chris Youngblood recalled "going crazy" on the bench.
Clifford Omoruyi and Alabama basketball teammates react to big man's perfect shooting streak before Sweet 16
"I've seen him try, like he's tried a couple times this season, but this one just seemed like there was a lot more contact, so it was pretty nice," Youngblood said.
At the 3:51 mark, he missed his first shot after 15 consecutive after starting the night 4-for-4 on dunks, which followed up all eight dunk attempts he successfully converted against Robert Morris on Friday.
"I knew he went 100% last game, but I did not know that," Youngblood said.
Youngblood kept his reaction simple before shouting out Omoruyi for the achievement from across the locker room.
"Dang," Youngblood said. "Dang, Cliff."
Omoruyi didn't know either, but the news brought a wide-eyed smile.
"I'm grateful for my teammates. They always find me and make the job easier for me," Omoruyi said. "I'm just happy to be the person bringing all the dunks, all the excitement and all the energy."
Omoruyi finished Sunday's game with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Cliff Omoruyi, Alabama basketball players react to his perfect shooting streak before Sweet 16
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