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The Alabama Crimson Tide went on the road and won a thrilling, comeback victory over the hated Tennessee Vols on Saturday night. The Tide led exactly one time, at the end of the game, in the 71-69 win. The victory was Alabama’s eighth in a row and improved their record to 22-7 overall and 12-4 in the SEC. Tennessee fell to 20-9 overall and 10-6 in conference play. The win snapped a five game losing streak for Bama against UT.
Labron Philon was available in the game after missing the team’s last contest. Aden Holloway, Amari Allen, Latrell Wrightsell, London Jemison, and Aiden Sherrell were the starters in the game. Philon may not have started, but he certainly made his self known in the game. A Philon three pointer almost five minutes into the game finally put the Tide on the board for a 5-3 deficit.
With 5:16 left in the half the score was 26-16 in the Vols favor as they were just destroying the Tide on the offensive glass. Things picked up a little and UT took a comfortable 40-28 lead at halftime.
Alabama shot 10-27 in the first half for 37%, including 5-13 for 38%, and 3-4 at the free throw line. The Tide had 15 rebounds, four assists, one block, two steals, and committed eight turnovers. Wrightsell scored 11 and Philon tossed in eight points. Really just a miserable half by Bama.
Tennessee shot 17-43 for 40% in the half with 4-13 from deep and 2-4 at the line. The Vols had 28 rebounds, 16 offensively, seven assists, four blocks, seven steals, and only three turnovers. Ja’kobi Gillespie did the damage with 15 points and four assists.
Philon started the second half for the Tide. Things got off to a little faster start as Holloway hit a couple of three pointers early after being held scoreless in the first half. Bama was able to close the gap to six points on a couple 0f occasions, but UT would shoot back out to a double digit lead. With 15:13 left the score was 48-40 in the Vols favor.
A pair of Philon free throws made the score 63-58 with 5:09 remaining. The Tide cut it to 67-65 with 2:49 left. After finally tying the game, Philon hit a short floater in the paint for Alabama’s first lead of the game at 71-69. Bama clamped down on defense and despite a couple of good looks at tying the game, the game ended with the ball rolling on the floor and the Tide had the improbable win.
Alabama shot 15-29 for 52% in the second half with 5-14 from three for 36% and 8-9 at the charity stripe. Overall the Tide was 25-56 for 45%. 10-27 for 37% from deep, and 11-13 on freebies. Bama had 30 rebounds, eight assists, four blocks, three steaks, and 10 turnovers. Wrightsell scored 25 points, making 6-9 from deep. Philon took over late and scored 23 points on 9-14 shooting. Holloway scored 12 with four rebounds and two assists. Sherrell scored only six points but grabbed eight rebounds and blocked four shots. Allen had the worst game of his career with two points and two rebounds. Likewise for Jemison who didn’t score and secured a rebound. Houston Mallette with three points was the only other Alabama player to score in the game, but did add five rebounds.
The Alabama defense held Tennessee to 13-35 for 37% in the second half, including 0-5 from three point range. Overall UT was 30-78 for 395, 4-18 from three for 22% and made 5-8 free throws. The Vols had 47 rebounds, 25 on offense, 13 assists, four blocks, nine steals, and only six turnovers. Gillespie had 26 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. JP Estrella added 12 points and six rebounds. Three Tennessee players had at least eight rebounds in the game.
The Tide is as hot as any team in the country right now. The win clinched a top four seed and double bye In the SEC Tournament and is likely locked in as at least a four seed at this point. The team has two regular season games remaining, at Georgia and a home game with Auburn. If they win those two for a 14-4 SEC mark, that would be incredible considering a few weeks ago they were 4-4 in league play. Stay hot men!
Roll Tide