Alabama just survived. Honestly, that’s the best way to describe what went down at the Lloyd Noble Center. If you’re looking for the score of Alabama basketball game from Saturday afternoon, it’s 83-81 in favor of the Crimson Tide. But the final numbers don't even begin to tell the story of how ugly, stressful, and ultimately historic this win over Oklahoma actually was.
Nate Oats didn't look like a guy who just won a game when he walked to the podium. He looked like a guy who had just watched a car wreck and was thankful he didn't have to call the insurance company.
The Comeback Nobody Saw Coming
You’ve gotta realize how bad it looked at halftime. Alabama was down 11. They had just let the Sooners go on a soul-crushing 11-0 run to close the first half. It felt like the Texas loss all over again, where the energy just evaporated.
But then, Labaron Philon Jr. happened.
The kid is basically a human torch right now. He finished with 23 points, marking his third straight game with 20 or more. He dropped 17 of those in the second half. It wasn't just that he was scoring; it was how he was scoring. Driving to the rim, hitting contested jumpers, and basically refusing to let Alabama lose their first-ever game in Norman.
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Key Stats From Alabama vs. Oklahoma
While the score of Alabama basketball game ended up a two-point margin, the box score reveals a lot of weirdness:
- Labaron Philon Jr.: 23 points (17 in the second half).
- Aiden Sherrell: 21 points and 9 rebounds.
- Free Throws: A painful 15-of-26 (57.7%).
- Second Half Scoring: Alabama 50, Oklahoma 37.
- Lead Changes: 12 total throughout the afternoon.
The free-throw shooting is going to give Tide fans nightmares. You simply cannot go 57% from the stripe on the road in the SEC and expect to live. They got lucky that Oklahoma's final three-point attempt at the buzzer clanked off the rim.
Why Nate Oats Is Annoyed
"I’ve got to look in the mirror," Oats said after the game. He's frustrated. This is the second game in a row where Alabama trailed by double digits on the road—remember, they were down 14 at Mississippi State earlier in the week before winning that one 97-82.
Playing from behind is a dangerous hobby.
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Eventually, you run out of road. Oats even mentioned he considered shaking up the starting lineup, specifically bringing Houston Mallette in earlier just to find some "energy." It worked in the second half, but the first 20 minutes were a slog.
Looking Back at the Mississippi State Score
To understand where this team is, you have to look back at Tuesday. The score of Alabama basketball game against Mississippi State was 97-82. In that one, Philon Jr. went nuclear for a career-high 32 points.
It’s becoming a pattern.
- Get down big early.
- Panic the fanbase.
- Philon and Sherrell take over.
- Win a close one (or a blowout).
The Tide is now 13-5 overall and 3-2 in the SEC. They are surviving the gauntlet, but the "L" against Texas (92-88) and that weird Vanderbilt loss (96-90) still loom large. This team has the highest ceiling in the country, but their floor is currently covered in banana peels.
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What This Means for the SEC Standings
The SEC is a meat grinder this year. Every road win is like finding gold in a backyard. By taking two on the road this week, Alabama has stayed in the hunt for a double-bye in the conference tournament.
They’ve got a week off now. Thank God.
They need it to get healthy and, quite frankly, to spend about eight hours a day at the free-throw line. If they can fix the slow starts, they’re a Final Four team. If they don't? They're going to give everyone in Tuscaloosa a heart attack by March.
Actionable Insights for Tide Fans
If you're following the score of Alabama basketball game results to see where to place your bets or your hopes, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the First Four Minutes: If Alabama isn't within two points at the first media timeout, prepare for a comeback attempt. They are currently a "second-half team."
- Monitor the Philon/Sherrell Connection: When these two combine for 40+, Alabama is nearly unbeatable.
- The Tennessee Game is Massive: On January 24th, No. 18 Alabama hosts No. 24 Tennessee. It's a "White Out" at Coleman Coliseum. That game will likely determine if Alabama is a top-four seed in the SEC.
Check the injury reports for the next few days. With a week of rest, expect Oats to tweak the defensive rotations. The goal is to stop giving up 40+ points in a single half.
Go ahead and clear your schedule for next Saturday night. The Vols are coming to town, and if the Oklahoma game was any indication, it's going to be a wild ride.