Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Southwest Minnesota State wheelchair basketball team held a late second half lead, but defending national champion University of Alabama rallied to earn a 77-65 victory on Thursday in the opening round of the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament at the State Farm Center.

SMSU (10-11), the tournament's No. 7 seed, held the lead for much of the second half, including holding a one-point lead with five minutes remaining. Following the fifth foul on SMSU's Jesus Villa, the Crimson Tide, seeded No. 2, where able to make several big plays down the stretch to secure the win.

Villa led the Mustangs recording a triple-double pouring in 27 points on 9 of 14 shooting with five 3-pointers. He also grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out 11 assists. Walter Johnson added 21 points with a pair of 3-pointers and recorded eight assists. Ryan Kile made four field goals and finished with nine points, while Ezekiel Ramudzi chipped in with eight points.

The Mustangs shot 52 percent from the field, while the Crimson Tide shot 60 percent. Alabama made several big free throws down the stretch and closed the game making 15 of 22 from the line, while SMSU was just 6 of 12.

SMSU will now face No. 5 seed Edinboro University (Pa.) at 10 a.m. on Friday. If SMSU wins, it will play at 8 p.m. on Friday for fifth place. If the Mustangs lose in the morning, they will play for seventh place at 6 p.m. on Friday.