Basketball in the SEC is basically a nightly heart attack now. If you missed it, the final score for Alabama against Oklahoma this past Saturday was 83-81. It was a game that felt like it had three different lifetimes packed into 40 minutes of play.
Honestly, for about half the game, it looked like Nate Oats was going to have a very long flight back to Tuscaloosa. The Tide trailed by 11 at the half. They looked sluggish. The Lloyd Noble Center was rocking, and the Sooners were hitting everything. But if you’ve watched this Bama team at all this season, you know they don't really care about deficits.
Final Score for Alabama: Breaking Down the 83-81 Nail-Biter
The first half was a mess for the Tide. They went into the locker room down 44-33, and it felt worse than the scoreboard suggested. Oklahoma’s Xzayvier Brown was basically doing whatever he wanted. He finished the game with 21 points, but it was his ability to draw fouls and keep the Tide defenders on their heels that really stood out early on.
Alabama's defense, which has been kinda "optional" at times this season, looked lost. They were 4-of-19 from deep in the first half. You just aren't going to win many games in this league shooting like that.
The Second Half Surge
Everything changed the second the whistle blew for the second half. Alabama opened on a 12-0 run. It was fast. It was violent. Labaron Philon Jr. and Aiden Sherrell just took over.
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Philon is becoming that guy for Nate Oats. He finished with 23 points and was the primary reason Alabama was able to claw back. He isn't just a scorer; he’s a pest on the perimeter. Beside him, Aiden Sherrell put up 21 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. When those two are clicking, the final score for Alabama usually ends up in the win column, regardless of how bad the start was.
The game turned into a back-and-forth slugfest in the final five minutes. There were 12 lead changes in total. Twelve! That’s essentially a boxing match where both guys are just trading haymakers until someone's legs give out.
What Happened in the Final Seconds?
The ending was pure chaos. With about 10 seconds left, Alabama led 82-79. Xzayvier Brown got fouled on a three-point attempt—a "circus shot," as the broadcasters called it. He had a chance to tie it at the line.
He made the first.
He made the second.
He missed the third.
That miss was his first of the day after going 8-for-8 previously. Talk about a tough break for the kid. Alabama's Amari Allen grabbed the board, got fouled, and made one of two free throws to make it 83-81. Oklahoma had 4.1 seconds to go the length of the floor. Nijel Pack got a look at a long three, but it clanked off. Mohamed Wague tried for a tip-in at the buzzer, but it wasn't meant to be.
Key Stats from the Win
- Labaron Philon Jr.: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists.
- Aiden Sherrell: 21 points, 9 rebounds.
- Bench Contribution: Houston Mallette provided a massive spark with 12 points, including three big triples.
- Free Throws: This is the scary part. Alabama only shot 57.7% from the line (15-of-26). In a two-point game, that's playing with fire.
Looking Back: The Football Final Score Everyone Wants to Forget
While the basketball team is riding high, we have to acknowledge the elephant in the room regarding the final score for Alabama in football. On January 1, 2026, the Crimson Tide suffered one of the most lopsided losses in program history.
The Rose Bowl quarterfinal against Indiana ended in a shocking 38-3 blowout.
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It wasn't just that they lost; it was how they lost. Indiana, led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, outgained Bama 407 to 193. The Tide's offense was held to a single field goal. It was a physical beatdown that left many wondering what the future of the program looks like in the post-Saban era, even with the expanded playoff format.
What This Means for Alabama’s Season
The basketball win in Norman moves Alabama to 13-5 overall and 3-2 in the SEC. They needed this. After losing a heartbreaker to Texas (92-88) and getting tripped up by Vanderbilt (96-90) earlier in the month, the "Losing Streak" whispers were starting.
This win stabilizes the ship. They’re currently sitting at No. 18 in the polls, but they have the talent of a top-five team when the shots are falling. The concern remains the defense and the free-throw shooting. You can't leave 11 points at the charity stripe and expect to survive in March.
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Upcoming Schedule for the Tide
- Tennessee (Home): This is the big one. Coleman Coliseum will be electric.
- South Carolina (Away): A trap game if I've ever seen one.
- Mississippi State (Home): A chance to sweep the season series.
Actionable Takeaways for Bama Fans
If you're tracking the final score for Alabama as the season progresses, keep an eye on these specific factors.
First, watch the free-throw percentage. If it stays below 60%, expect more close losses. Second, look at the rotation. Nate Oats is leaning heavily on Philon and Sherrell, but they need London Jemison to find his rhythm again—he struggled against Oklahoma, going 1-of-8.
Lastly, check the NET rankings. Despite the loss to Texas, Bama is still a darling of the analytics. A win on the road in Norman is a "Quad 1" win that will look very good to the selection committee come March.
Next Steps for Following the Tide:
- Sync the remaining SEC schedule to your calendar; the Tennessee game is a "must-watch."
- Monitor the injury report for any updates on the bench depth, as foul trouble nearly cost them the Oklahoma game.
- Watch the early lines for the Tennessee matchup—expect Bama to be a slight favorite at home despite the Vols' ranking.