The 18th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide limped into to Starkville to take in the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Tuesday night. On the heels of a two game losing streak and down four key players, the Tide quickly fell behind by 14 points before going on a 32-7 run and coasting to the 97-82 victory. Bama improved to 12-5 overall and 2-2 in the SEC while MSU fell to 10-7 and 2-2 in league play.
The Tide has been playing shorthanded all season, but Tuesday nights game was at a new level. Alabama was down to eight scholarship players with Taylor Bol Bowen, Latrell Wrightsell, Keitenn Bristow, Davion Hannah, and Collins Onyejiaka all out for various injuries and illnesses. Coach Nate Oats used his 11th different starting lineup of the season with Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway, Amari Allen, London Jemison, and Aiden Sherrell all getting the starting nod. Mississippi State feed off their roaring crowd and led 6-1 with 17:59 left in the half. At the 12:20 mark the Dogs lead was 17-7 before Philon knocked down a shot from behind the arc. With 8:05 remaining MSU has built a 14 point lead at 29-15. After the under eight timeout, the Tide caught fire. Another Philon three fueled a 7-o run to cut the lead to 29-22. Sherrell made a three pointer and added an old fashioned three point play on back to back possessions, then added two more free throws the next time down the court. Philon was fouled and made the front and back end of a one and one situation to give Bama their first lead since 1-0 at 36-34. Sherrell blocked a shot at the buzzer to carry Bama into the locker room with their two point lead.
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At the half Alabama shot 12-32 for 38%, 5-18 from three for 28%, and made 7-9 at the free throw line. The Tide had 24 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, two steals, and turned the ball over only three times. Philon led the way with 12 points and two assists and Sherrell added eight points, while Allen had five points and five rebounds. Holloway tallied six points and made a steal.
The Bulldogs were 13-38 from the field for 34% and 4-13 for 31% from three while making 4-8 free attempts. MSU collected 24 rebounds, three blocks, three assists, three steals, and committed only two turnovers. Jayden Epps led the Dogs with seven points and Ja’Borri McGhee was next with six points.
The Tide used the same starting lineup for the second half- really weren’t a lot of options to be honest. The run that closed out the first half continued. Philon and Sherrell took turns adding to the lead. Allen almost got his head taken off driving to the basket and the State defender was awarded a flagrant two and ejected. Noah Williamson made the best play of his Alabama career by scooping Allen up in a bear hug and keeping him from going after the offended. The ultra mature Allen calmly made both free throws. When Holloway nailed a deep three the score was 60-45 and the Tide was on a 45-15 run.
State star Josh Hubbard, who was held to five points in the first half, finally got going and was able to help the Dogs cut the lead t0 10 at 62-52 with 12 minutes left. After the under twelve timeout Philon hit from behind the arc and scored repeatedly at the rim. Hubbard, the SEC’s leading scorer, was able to keep MSU within 15, but no closer. Holloway heated up and the Tide closed out the 97-82 win.
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In the second half Bama shot 17-34 with 7-16 from three point range, and 20-24 at the free throw line. Overall the Tide was 29-66 for 44%, 12-34 from deep for 35%, and 27-33 for 83% at the charity stripe. Alabama had 47 rebounds total, 10 offensive boards, 14 assists, four blocks, four steals, and only five rebounds. Philon scored a career high 32 points, four rebounds, three assists, and only one turnover. Sherrell had his career high with 22 points with five rebounds, two blocks, and one assist. Holloway joined in double figures with 15 points and added three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Allen continued his double-double run with 13 points and 13 rebounds and tossed in four assists and another hard hat award to boot. Jalil Bethea received 20 minutes of action and scored five and rebounded five. Houston Mallette broke his scoreless drought by scoring seven and secured five rebounds.
MSU was held to 15-38 for 34% in the second half with 5-15 from deep and made 13-17 free throws. Overall the Tide’s defense held the Dogs to 28-76 for 37%, 9-28 for 32% from three, and 68% on 17-25 free throws. Hubbard shot 6-16 and 3-10 from three point range in scoring 23 points. Epps scored 13 and Quincy Ballard scored only six points but grabbed 17 rebounds.
This was a huge bounce back win for the Tide after a road loss to Vanderbilt and a home defeat against Texas. With their backs against the wall, down four players, and facing a 14 point early deficit, this may have been the best win for the team this season. Philon, with a high assists from Sherrell, put the team on his back and carried them to victory. The toughness, grit, and will that this group showed needs to be continued throughout the rest of the season. It isn’t ideal to play with only eight scholarship players, but sometimes a shorter rotation can work, and they happened on Tuesday night. Alabama takes the court again Saturday at noon CT when they host Oklahoma on an SEC Network game.
RollTide
