Tuscaloosa, Ala. ? Alabama made quick work of New Orleans in its final tuneup for Southeastern Conference play.

Earnest Shelton scored 14 points, and Jermario Davidson had 12 points and nine rebounds in the No. 18 Crimson Tide’s 68-57 victory Saturday night.

Alabama's Earnest Shelton (5) dribbles past New Orleans guard Jamie McNeilly. The Crimson Tide won, 68-57, Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

“I really liked how we played in the first half. … I think in the second half we broke our rhythm a little bit, substituting like we did,” Alabama coach Mark Gottfried said. “We got a little bit out of sync, put our starters back and they were a little cold from sitting so long. But overall it was a good win.”

After taking a 41-24 halftime lead, Alabama was 6-of-23 from the field in the second half. The Privateers (5-8) used an 11-2 spurt to cut it to 65-55 and held Alabama to only one field goal in the final 12 minutes.