The Alabama Crimson Tide edged out the LSU Tigers with a final score of 80-73 on Saturday night, clinching the victory after pulling away late in the game. The triumph came unexpectedly since star guard Mark Sears had no points and didn't play during the second half, leaving room for others to step up.
Alabama's Chris Youngblood kicked off the game with impressive momentum, scoring 7 points of the team's first 9, as the Crimson Tide initiated their game with confidence. A 7-0 run saw Alabama leading 9-7 within the first five minutes.
LSU responded vigorously, with the Tigers quickly countering to lead 17-13 after executing a 10-4 run with 11:01 remaining in the first half. But Alabama wasn't done, as Christian Holloway hit back-to-back plays, scoring on deep three-pointers and layups for Alabama, resulting in a 23-19 advantage with under nine minutes to go.
Once again, LSU clawed its way back, showcasing resilience to bring the score to 31-30 courtesy of another strong phase punctuated by effective teamwork. The first half ended tied at 40, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.
The beginning of the second half saw both teams exchanging baskets, but Alabama's Aden Holloway soon put the Crimson Tide back on top with a key three-pointer, pushing Alabama to 52-50 with over 15 minutes left. The energy surged when Grant Nelson's corner three-pointer sent the crowd roaring and pushed Alabama's lead to 63-56.
Despite the remarkable performances from lesser-known teammates without Sears, Alabama maintained its advantage throughout the second half. Holloway emphasized the team’s “energy and effort” stepped up immensely post-intermission, leading them to victory.
Nate Oats, Alabama's head coach, credited his team's defensive strategy as the backbone of their win. "Our defense won us this game," he remarked, underscoring the importance of stopping Alabama's key offensive plays. He noted the offense had done just enough to secure the win, but it was the defense's performance under pressure and against formidable opponents like LSU, which made all the difference.
LSU coach Matt McMahon acknowledged his opponents' prowess, stating, “With their ability to attack you one on one off the dribble and get in the paint. Number two, getting to the free throw line. And then three, they’ve been top 10 in the country on the offensive glass all season long.” This insight built recognition for Alabama's offensive gains, especially backed by strong rebounds and conversions.
Holloway emerged as Alabama's leading scorer during the match, finishing with 19 points and adding four rebounds to his impressive stats line. Post-game, Oats expressed satisfaction with Holloway’s contributions: "He’s been great for us. He’s playing as well as anybody in our backcourt right now. I liked his spark off the bench.”
Mouhamed Dioubate also shined, nabbing 14 points with six rebounds. His continued high-level performance has made him one of the pivotal fixtures within the squad this season. Youngblood and Nelson contributed with 13 and 12 points, respectively, enhancing the overall team dynamic.
Despite the win, Oats pointed out the concern about being outrebounded for the fourth time this season. This is something he emphasized as needing to be addressed before their next clash against the formidable Mississippi State Bulldogs. The imminent top-25 showdown awaits them on Wednesday at 8 p.m. CT, set to be streamed on SEC Network.