You probably woke up looking for the Alabama game score today and noticed something a bit different. The football pads are in storage. The smell of charcoal at Bryant-Denny has faded for the season. But if you’re a Crimson Tide fan, your Saturday just got a whole lot better thanks to what happened on the hardwood in Norman.
Alabama basketball didn't just win yesterday; they snatched a victory from the jaws of a double-digit deficit against Oklahoma. The final score? Alabama 83, Oklahoma 81. It was gritty. It was stressful. Honestly, it was exactly the kind of road win Nate Oats needed to prove this team can handle the SEC gauntlet.
That Oklahoma Comeback Was Something Else
Walking into Lloyd Noble Arena is never easy. Walking in and falling behind by 11 points at halftime is usually a death sentence. Oklahoma was shooting the lights out, heading into the locker room with a 44-33 lead. The Sooners were on an 11-0 run to close the half, and it felt like the Tide was stuck in mud.
Then the second half happened.
Labaron Philon Jr. and Aiden Sherrell decided they weren't losing. Philon dropped 23 points, marking his third straight game with 20 or more. He’s becoming that guy—the closer you can trust when the shot clock is winding down and the crowd is screaming. Sherrell was just as lethal, adding 21 points and grabbing nine rebounds. He dominated the paint in a way we haven't seen consistently this year.
The game had 12 lead changes. It had nine ties. It was the kind of game that makes you want to throw your remote at the wall one minute and jump for joy the next. Alabama outscored Oklahoma 50-37 in the second half, showing a level of defensive intensity that has been hit-or-miss earlier this month.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Tide Team
A lot of folks see the Alabama game score today and think it’s all about the offense. Sure, 83 points is a solid day, but look at the defense in the second half. They held Oklahoma to 38.9% shooting from the field. That’s the real story.
People love to talk about "Latu-ball" or the high-volume threes, but Nate Oats has been preaching "blue-collar" points all season. They outscored the Sooners 38-34 in the paint. They didn't just rely on the deep ball; they attacked.
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- Labaron Philon Jr.: 23 points (17 in the second half).
- Aiden Sherrell: 21 points, 9 rebounds.
- Free Throw Struggles: 15-of-26 (57.7%). This is the one stat that'll keep Oats up at night. You can't leave 11 points at the line in the SEC and expect to survive every time.
Looking Back at the Football Heartbreak
While the basketball team is surging, it's hard to talk about an Alabama game score today without acknowledging the elephant in the room—the football season’s end. It’s been just over two weeks since the Rose Bowl disaster.
If you've blocked it out of your memory, I don't blame you. Indiana—yes, Indiana—beat Alabama 38-3 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on New Year’s Day. It was a 24-0 hole before Alabama even blinked. Ty Simpson was benched mid-game. The offense only managed 193 total yards.
It was a jarring end to the 2025 season, but the transfer portal is already moving. Coach Kalen DeBoer just landed Ethan Fields, a massive offensive lineman from Ole Miss. Roster rebuilding is in full swing for the 2026 season opener against East Carolina in September.
The SEC Standings Are Getting Crowded
Alabama is now 13-5 overall and 3-2 in the SEC. They aren't at the top of the mountain yet, but they are climbing. This win was their first-ever victory in Norman. That matters. It’s a historical milestone that helps build the "winning DNA" this specific roster needs.
The win over Oklahoma followed a dominant 97-82 victory against Mississippi State. The Tide is starting to find its rhythm. They’re moving past that 92-88 heartbreaker against Texas from a week ago.
What Happens Next
The schedule doesn't get any easier. After a midweek bye to rest those legs, Alabama returns to Coleman Coliseum on Saturday, January 24.
The opponent? No. 24 Tennessee.
That game is going to be a bloodbath. If the Tide wants to stay in the hunt for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament, they have to protect home court.
Actionable Insights for the Week Ahead:
- Watch the Free Throws: Keep an eye on the charity stripe. If Bama stays under 60%, they will drop a game they should win.
- Philon Watch: Labaron Philon Jr. is officially on a tear. Expect Tennessee to throw their best defender at him.
- Portal News: Watch the football transfer portal closely; the window just closed, but more names are trickling out as players finalize their enrollments for the spring semester.
The Alabama game score today might show a quiet scoreboard because it's a Sunday, but the momentum from Norman is still very much alive.