Alabama basketball putt up triple digits in Rupp Arena and came out on top to remain one game back of first in the SEC.
Alabama basketball went into Rupp and beats Kentucky 102-97 with its third 100-point game vs. an AP-ranked team this season, which is the most since 1948-49. This is Alabama’s third win over an AP Top-10 team this season, the most since 1982-83.
The Tide were without freshman Derrion Reid, who was out with an ankle injury and was questionable heading into the game.
Alabama only had 10 turnovers after 21 last game, with Mark Sears leading the way with nine of the team’s 20 assists.
The Tide had five scorers in double-figures with Grant Nelson scoring 25, Mark Sears with 24, Labaron Philon with 15, Clifford Omoruyi with 12, and Chris Youngblood with 10.
“I told our guys after the loss Tuesday, we didn’t deserve to win. Labaron Philon spent a lot of time in the gym, and he goes 3/5 from three. It’s not rocket science,” said head coach Nate Oats.
Mouhamed Dioubate won the hard hat.
“Couldn’t be more proud of a group of guys. After the poor showing on Tuesday they bounced back and played the way we did today,” said Oats.
Takeaway #1: Grant Nelson big performance
Grant Nelson, after scoring only 21 points in the previous three games, put up 25 points and 11 rebounds, scoring 19 in the first half.
After air-balling the first three of the day, Nelson quickly responded the next two possessions by draining two straight threes.
Nelson had the full “Content Nelson,” as the coaches call him, after multiple finishes around the bucket and getting to the free-throw line where he struggled against Ole Miss with 3-7, but was confident in the game with 9-10.
Takeaway #2: Free throws
Alabama got into the bonus quickly in the first eight minutes of the second half and continued to get the basket and draw fouls. Free throws have been inconsistent for the team all year, but it had its best showing today with 29-34 at the line.
Free throws were the difference of the game as Kentucky did not drive the ball as much as the Tide and only got to the line 20 times, where it only made 16.
Sears and Nelson combine to go 17-19 from the line.
Takeaway #3: Kentucky has so much scoring
The Wildcats, with many transfers and veterans on this team, had seven guys in double-figures.
Otega Oweh scores his 18th straight game in double-figures with 21 points, and the Tide had no answer in slowing the big guard down.
Despite the shoulder injury, Lamont Butler played through it and was dominant on both ends of the floor finishing with 17 points.
Alabama kept Kobe Brea off the three-point line for most of the day only allowing two threes and 10 points.
Brandon Garrison was a mismatch for the Tide at stretching the floor and had 11 points.
Jaxson Robinson continues to be the guy for the Wildcats and coach Mark Pope’s goto bucket getter with 11 points.
Next up for Alabama (15-3, 4-1): vs. Vanderbilt (15-3, 3-2) – Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. EST
Next up for Ole Miss (14-4, 3-2): at Vanderbilt (15-3, 3-2) – Jan. 25 at 2:30 p.m. EST