Albertville, Ala. — The University of Alabama Adapted Athletics men's wheelchair basketball team dropped its season opener to in-state rival Auburn, 75–64, on Tuesday evening in Albertville.
The Crimson Tide started strong, outscoring Auburn 22–16 in the first quarter, but struggled to maintain momentum as the game progressed. Head Coach Ford Buttram reflected on the team's performance, saying, "We played well in the first quarter and then we cooled off throughout the second. We didn't handle the beginning stages of the third quarter very well, and it just didn't seem as though we could catch up."
Alabama shot 51.7% from the field, led by Justyn Newman and Tim Houston, who each tallied 16 points. Henley Cavanagh followed closely with 13 points, while Preston Howell added seven. Despite the loss, Alabama found success in the paint, outscoring Auburn 32–16 and showing strong ball movement early in the contest.
Assistant Coach Michael Auprince noted that the match-up provided valuable early-season lessons, saying, "We need to maintain the same intensity throughout the game. We put ourselves in a great position going into halftime, but they outscored us in the third quarter to take the lead. Despite the loss, there's a lot to learn collectively and individually so that when we play them in December, the result is different."
The Alumni Association played a significant role in hosting the Sand Mountain Tournament in Albertville. Their investment and support of the Adapted Athletics program were evident throughout the event, creating an atmosphere that energized both teams and showcased the growth of wheelchair basketball in Alabama.
Looking ahead, the Crimson Tide will return home to Tuscaloosa for their upcoming home tournament, which will feature a strong slate of opponents and high-caliber match-ups. The team will aim to build on the lessons from Tuesday's loss and continue to grow as they move deeper into the season.