Tuscaloosa, AL (U-WIRE) -- Freshman point guard Ronald Steele recorded a school-record 18 assists Wednesday night against East Tennessee State University in just his sixth game with the Crimson Tide.

Steele passed Eric Richardson's record of 15 assists, set against Kentucky in 1984. Steele came up one assist short of tying the SEC record of 19 assists.

"What a signature, statement game for a young freshman to get 18 assists," Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried said.

The statement game left an impression on ETSU coach Murry Bartow.

"Eighteen assists and no turnovers - what more can you ask from a point guard?" Bartow said.

Steele made some nifty passes on the night but gave credit to his teammates for allowing him to set the record.

"On a night like this where guys are making shots, it's kind of easy to get a lot of assists," Steele said. "When you're on a team full of great scorers like Earnest Shelton, Kennedy Winston and Chuck Davis, I try to get them the ball in good opportunities to score.

"I know I don't have to take a lot of shots for us to be successful, so I just try to create opportunities for other guys."

Gottfried said Steele was able to get the record because of good decisions on the fast break.

"He's the kind of point guard that, if you'll run and get yourself open, he'll deliver the ball to you," Gottfried said. "Our big guys are learning that."

Steele's passing proved to be contagious, as Alabama set the team record for assists in a game with 30.

"We had very few baskets tonight off the dribble," Gottfried said. "Most of them were off the pass. Everybody was looking to make the extra pass."

Steele's teammates were also happy to get passes thrown their way. Five Alabama players scored double-digits in points, led by senior guard Earnest Shelton's 24.

"He was everywhere, all over the court finding people that I didn't even think he'd see," Shelton said. "He did a great job breaking down the defense, moving the ball and finding the open player."

Steele did not only contribute by passing the ball. He also chipped in four points, six rebounds and had no turnovers while playing tough defense on ETSU's Tim Smith for most of the game.

"I'll tell you what I like just as much as the 18 assists and the no turnovers, is that he guarded a pretty good player tonight and really held him in check," Gottfried said. "Smith had a lot of his points late in the game. Ron did a heck of a job on defense."

Smith, a small point guard who many predict will play in the NBA, scored 24 points, but hit only 10-of-27 shots. Steele said he was proud of his control of the basketball as much as the assist record.

"I think I turned it over a lot in Alaska, a lot more than I had to, so the no turnovers is good," Steele said.

(C) 2004 The Crimson White via U-WIRE