Dazon Ingram scored 20 points and added five assists as a short-handed Alabama team bounced back from a slow start and defeated Memphis 82-70, Friday night in the opener of the Veterans Classic at Navy in Annapolis, Md.

This was the season opener for both teams, and Alabama pulled away in the second half. The Crimson Tide rallied and held a 38-36 halftime lead.

But Alabama slowly broke it open in the second half with help from Ingram, a sophomore guard who made 11 of 15 free throws, and others.

The Crimson Tide went on a 9-3 run which gave it a 49-45 lead. A little after that, Alabama scored nine of 10 and pushed its lead to 58-48 with just over 11 minutes remaining.

Overall, five from the Crimson Tide scored in double figures. Junior guard Avery Johnson, Jr. added 13 while freshman guard Herb Jones got 12.

Junior forward Kyvon Davenport topped Memphis with 15 points.

Alabama was short-handed because freshman guard Collin Sexton, one of the top newcomers in the nation, sat out because of a one-game suspension for a violation of NCAA rules.

He is supposed to be able to play in the team's next game.

In addition, senior guard/forward Riley Norris (hip problem), senior guard Ar'Mond Davis (knee bruise) plus sophomore forward Braxton Key (knee surgery, top returning scorer) all were missing with injuries.

The Crimson Tide started slowly on offense, struggling at times.

In fact, both teams did as Memphis, which has 11 new players on its team this season, led for several minutes in the first half before Alabama rallied for that two-point lead at the break.