Releford, Alabama beat Charleston Southern 59-46

Alabama forward Trevor Lacey (5) passes the ball as Charleston Southern forward Paul Gombwer (15) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Friday, Nov. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Tuscaloosa News, Robert Sutton)

Charleston Southern guard Malcolm Bernard (2) lays up the ball against Alabama in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Friday, Nov. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Tuscaloosa News, Robert Sutton)

Alabama guard Levi Randolph dunks against Charleston Southern University in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Friday, Nov. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Tuscaloosa News, Robert Sutton)

Alabama forward Devonta Pollard (24) shoots against Charleston Southern in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tuscaloosa, Ala.,Friday, Nov. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Tuscaloosa News, Robert Sutton)

Alabama coach Anthony Grant, right, greets Charleston Southern coach Barclay Radebaugh before an NCAA college basketball game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Friday, Nov. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Robert Sutton)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Trevor Releford drained 22 points and Alabama earned a 59-46 victory over Charleston Southern Friday night in a nonconference showdown.

Releford hit 7 of 15 from the field, including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc for his second straight game with five 3-pointers. He also had six assists.

Trevor Lacey also had six helpers for the Crimson Tide (5-0), while Levi Randolph had 10 points and Carl Engstrom had eight rebounds.

Paul Gombwer and Saah Nimley had 10 points each for the Buccaneers (1-4).

Alabama scored the first nine points of the game but Charleston Southern (1-4) responded by outscoring the Crimson Tide 18-4 to take an 18-13 lead on a 3-point shot by Gombwer at the 8:55 mark.

The Crimson Tide went on another 9-0 run to regain the lead 22-18 on a short jump shot by Devonta Pollard at the 6:52 mark. After Malcolm Bernard made a layup to put the Buccaneers back in front 27-26, Randolph made a 3-pointer, Pollard a free throw and Releford back-to-back 3-point shots to give Alabama a 36-27 lead at the half.

Charleston Southern opened the second half with five straight points to pull to within four, 36-32, but from that point on the Crimson Tide outscored the Buccaneers 23-14 to win going away.

Alabama has started the season 5-0 for the second straight year, the first time the Crimson Tide has won its first five games in back-to-back seasons since 1995-96 and 1996-97.