In an electrifying showdown at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, the No. 25 Alabama men's basketball team clinched a 90-83 victory over LSU, marking their sixth consecutive win in conference play. The Crimson Tide's precision at the free-throw line was a key factor, as they sank a season-high 30 free throws to secure the win.
Alabama, now boasting a 20-7 record overall and 10-4 in the SEC, was propelled by Aden Holloway's 17 points and four assists. Aiden Sherrell delivered his second straight double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Amari Allen, Latrell Wrightsell Jr., and London Jemison also contributed double-digit points.
On the LSU side, Marquel Sutton led with 21 points and six rebounds, while Pablo Tamba added a double-double of his own with 10 points and 12 boards.
Coach Nate Oats' Insights
Coach Nate Oats praised LSU's resilience, noting their ability to fight back from a 16-point deficit to close within six late in the game. He acknowledged the Tigers' dominance on the offensive glass, with three players grabbing five offensive rebounds each, and stressed the need for Alabama to improve in that area.
Oats highlighted Holloway's standout defensive performance, particularly his work against LSU's Max McKinnon. Despite a tough shooting night from beyond the arc for Holloway and Wrightsell, Oats remained optimistic, attributing it partly to fatigue from a recent double-overtime game.
Team Highlights
Aiden Sherrell's back-to-back double-doubles are a testament to his growing impact, matching a feat previously achieved by Amari Allen. The Crimson Tide's consistent three-point shooting continued, with this game marking their eighth straight with at least 10 made threes. Their 90 points were the second most scored against LSU this season.
Game Breakdown
First Half
Alabama's defense set the tone early, limiting LSU to just two field goals in their first seven attempts. Despite a shooting slump, key three-pointers from Allen and Sherrell kept the game tight.
A late 15-5 run helped Alabama take a 41-32 lead, though LSU trimmed it to 43-40 by halftime. Holloway led at the break with 10 points and perfect free-throw shooting.
Second Half
The Tide came out strong, extending their lead to double digits with a 17-9 run. Dominance on the offensive boards provided crucial second-chance points.
Although LSU rallied to cut the lead to six, Alabama's clutch free-throw shooting sealed the win. Wrightsell Jr. was pivotal in the second half, scoring 10 of his 14 points largely from the line.
Looking Ahead
With momentum on their side, Alabama aims to continue their winning streak as they prepare for upcoming challenges in the SEC.