The Alabama men’s basketball team, ranked No. 25 in the nation, secured a 90-83 win over LSU on Saturday night at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The victory marks Alabama’s sixth consecutive win in Southeastern Conference play.
Alabama improved to a 20-7 overall record and 10-4 in conference games. Aden Holloway led the Crimson Tide with 17 points and four assists, while Aiden Sherrell recorded his second straight double-double, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Amari Allen added 16 points, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. contributed 14, and London Jemison scored 12.
LSU fell to a 14-13 overall record and is now 2-12 in SEC play. Marquel Sutton led the Tigers with 21 points and six rebounds; Pablo Tamba added a double-double of his own with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Alabama head coach Nate Oats commented after the game: “I have a lot of respect for LSU players and staff. I have watched them lose tight, one-possession games, so for them to be playing as hard as they are currently playing, keep fighting. They were down 16 with seven minutes left and got it all the way down to within six at one point late in the game. They outrebounded us on the offensive glass, so we have to do better there, they had three different guys with five offensive boards.”
Oats also praised Holloway’s defensive performance: “I thought that was the best game Aden Holloway has played on the defensive end all year. We put him on (Max) McKinnon to start, who ended up playing 30 minutes, took 16 shots, and it was only his second game in SEC play that he did not have double figures. Aden ended up with two steals, and his defensive leverage was tied for the highest on the team.”
He addressed shooting struggles as well: “We didn’t shoot it the best. Holloway and Wrightsell shot 2-of-11 from three so we need to get our legs back. The double overtime game from Wednesday could have played a factor, but we have (Sunday) off. Hopefully, we can keep the defensive effort from the guards and do better on the glass.”
The Crimson Tide made a season-high of thirty free throws during this matchup—their most made from the line this season—and hit ten three-pointers for an eighth consecutive game achieving that mark.
Aiden Sherrell continued his strong form by registering four blocks—his tenth time this season recording at least three blocks in a single contest.
Alabama began strongly on defense by limiting LSU early but saw their lead cut before halftime after an LSU run brought it to just three points at intermission (43-40). In the second half Alabama extended its advantage into double digits but had to withstand an LSU comeback attempt late in regulation.
Latrell Wrightsell Jr., who finished with fourteen points overall—including ten in the second half—helped close out LSU thanks largely to his accuracy from the free throw line.
With this win behind them, Alabama will return home for their next contest against Mississippi State Bulldogs at Coleman Coliseum on Wednesday night; tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m CT live on ESPNU.
