Embattled Miller scores 41 as No. 2 Alabama beats South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) —Alabama standoutfreshman Brandon Miller was in the starting lineup and had acareer-high scoring game in a win over South Carolina onWednesday night — one day after police said he delivered a gunahead of a fatal shooting that took place near campus inmid-January, and hours after the university said he’d remain an“active member” of the No. 2-ranked Crimson Tide and is notconsidered a suspect.

Alabama’s support for the Miller, one of college basketball’stop players, made little difference to Gamecock fans at ColonialLife Arena, who focused on the 6-foot-9 forward even before theSoutheastern Conference game started. The crowd booed each timeMiller touched the ball. Members of the student section chanted,“Lock him up,” and “Guilty!” several times as Miller played.

Miller, who finished with 41 points, scored the decisive basketwith 0.9 seconds left in OT as SEC-leading Alabama beat SouthCarolina 78-76.

The game capped an eventful few days for Miller, who authoritiessay is allegedly connected to the shooting death of 23-year-oldJamea Jonae Harris last month. Tuscaloosa Police investigatorBrandon Culpepper testified this week that Miller brought a gunto now-former teammate Darius Miles on the night of the shootingafter Miles texted him and asked him to do so.

Earlier Wednesday, an attorney for Miller said his client neverhandled the gun officials say was involved.

“Based on all the information that we have received, BrandonMiller is not considered a suspect in this case, only a cooperativewitness,” the university said in a statement released beforeWednesday’s game. “Today’s statement from Brandon’s lawyer addsadditional context that the University considered as part of itsreview of the facts. Based on all the facts that we have gathered,Brandon remains an active member of the team”

Alabama coach Nate Oats acknowledged that some of his playersmay have let the past few days affect their game against SouthCarolina. But not Miller.

“He’s one of the most mentally tough kids I’ve ever coached,”Oats said.

Neither Miller nor other players were made available to themedia after the game.

Miller was on the court about 80 minutes before tipoff, warmingup with teammates before fans were allowed in the building. Oncethe doors opened, students filled several areas around the courtand focused on Miller, who didn’t react while continuing hispregame drills.

He started the game slowly, missing two wide-open 3-pointers,and the Crimson Tide found themselves in a battle against theGamecocks, trailing 35-31 at the half. Miller warmed up near theend of the half, scoring on a 3-pointer and a pair of high-flyingjams and accounting for almost half of his teams points. Hefinished the half with a team-high 15 points, three rebounds, ablock and a turnover.

It was a highly charged atmosphere and at least two fans wereled out of the arena by police as the South Carolina crowdcheered.

Miller’s attorney, Jim Standridge, said his client never handledthe gun owned by Miles, who prosecutors say is accused of providinghis gun to Michael Davis, who fired it and killed Harris.

“Brandon never touched the gun, was not involved in its exchangeto Mr. Davis in any way, and never knew that illegal activityinvolving the gun would occur,” Standridge said in a statement.

Miller’s alleged involvement in thedeath of Harris was detailed Tuesday at a preliminary hearingfor Miles and Davis, who both face capital murder charges inHarris’ death. Culpepper testified that Miles texted Miller tobring him his handgun.

Oats has said the team was aware Miller allegedly brought thegun to Miles.

Standridge said in the statement that Miles asked Miller for aride to a club. Standridge said Miles’ brought his “legal handgunand left it in the backseat of Brandon’s vehicle. Brandon never sawthe handgun nor handled it.”

Miles later texted Miller to bring him the gun. Miller never gotout of his vehicle, was not part of the exchange with Davis and didnot interact with anyone in Harris’ party, according toStandridge.

Miles quickly drove off when gunfire took place, Standridgesaid. When Miles was told someone was hurt and police wanted tospeak to him, “he has fully cooperated with law enforcement’sinvestigation,” Standridge said.

Standridge said the events of the shooting were captured onvideo. “There is no dispute about Brandon’s activities during thisevening,” Standridge said.

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne, on the ESPN CollegeGameDay podcast, said the school learned new information in thecase this week that it used to make its decision to let Millerplay. He said Oats did not have all facts when he first addressedthe media on Tuesday — Oats described Miller’s situation as “Wrongspot at the wrong time” — and didn’t handle things in the bestway.

“We’ve addressed that with him,” Byrne said.

Miller leads the Crimson Tide, averaging 18.7 points and eightrebounds per game entering Wednesday’s action. He’s considered apossible lottery pick in June’s NBA draft.