Alabama basketball had its best game offensively, crossing the century mark for the third time this season to end the non-conference slate on a high note dominating South Dakota State.
Alabama Basketball bounces back after poor shooting performance last week with hitting 19 three-pointers in rout to a 105-82 blowout win inside Coleman Coliseum before SEC play begins next Saturday.
Alabama had its lowest turnovers on the season, with six after coming off a game with 19 in its last outing.
Alabama played with only nine available scholarships with Derrion Reid, who had a boot on his right foot, and Houston Mallette, who was under the weather and not present at the game.
Mouhamed Dioubate won the hard hat in this game and in just 18 minutes of action with six points and 11 rebounds seven of them being offensive rebounds.
“An Ankle injury that was sustained in practice two days ago, and we’re hoping he can practice this week and be ready for Oklahoma,” said coach Nate Oats on Derrion Reid’s absence.
Takeaway #1: Best first half of the season offensively
Alabama, which had struggled to shoot for much of the season, really got going in the first half. The team hit 12-29 from three with only three turnovers. Alabama put up 57 points in the half and was playing at a really fast pace. Alabama forced South Dakota State into eight turnovers, and 12 points came off of them. Four guys were in double-digits at half on 13 assists.
Takeaway #2: Alabama guards dominate
Alabama’s guards of Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway, and Mark Sears all had 20-plus points for the first time this season. The guards combined to hit 16 of the 19 threes in the game.
Holloway was able to get a career-high in points with 26 where the shooter was money from three, whether it was catch and shoot or off the dribble the Jackrabbits had no answer on Holloway.
Philon continues to shine and get the praise he deserves with another good day with 21 points, hitting two threes, whether it was jumping into passing lanes with two steals, or getting to the rim and finishing through contact, Philon was everywhere on the floor finishing with six assists and five rebounds.
Sears had another 20-point performance in what seems like he does in his sleep at this point in an Alabama uniform. Sears made 6-14 from three, dishing out five assists, with only having two turnovers, which has been a struggle as of late. Sears continues to improve on the defensive end, which was one of the many things Sears wanted to get better at when returning for another season.
“When we play like that it’s hard to stop,” said Philon on the team’s guard play.
Takeaway #3: Grant “Consistent” Nelson
Grant Nelson, who started out the game with the team’s first eight points had another good night, especially from the outside hitting 2-of-3 from three, he has not hit a three in six games prior this game.
Nelson continues to grab boards, grabbing another eight rebounds on the day and continues to become a better shot blocker around the rim. Once Nelson switched to the four, his game has gone to a whole different level, where the senior had another 17 points on the game and continues to be another weapon that the Tide will have in its arsenal.
Nelson seems to own the Summit League teams, since transferring over from that conference with another big-time day.
Next up for Alabama (11-2): vs. Oklahoma (13-0) – Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. EST
Next up for South Dakota State (9-6): vs. Denver ( 6-9) – Jan. 2 at 9 p.m. EST
[…] off one of its best offensive performances in its last time out against South Dakota State in a 105-82 victory to close out the non-conference slate. The gauntlet begins, known as SEC play in which 10 […]