Alabama fans are probably still catching their breath today. If you were looking for who won the Alabama game yesterday, you’re looking at an 83-81 thriller where the No. 18 Crimson Tide somehow escaped Norman with a victory over the Oklahoma Sooners. Honestly, for the first twenty minutes of that game, it looked like Bama was headed for a blowout loss.
They were down by 11 at the half. Lloyd Noble Center was rocking. But Nate Oats has built a squad that apparently doesn't believe in quit.
Yesterday’s game wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Alabama (13-5, 3-2 SEC) clawed their way back to secure their first-ever win in Norman. It was messy, it was loud, and it came down to a contested three-pointer at the buzzer that mercifully clanked off the rim for Tide fans.
The Labaron Philon Show and the Comeback
You’ve got to talk about Labaron Philon Jr. if you’re dissecting this game. The kid is on a tear. He finished with 23 points, marking his third straight game hitting the 20-plus mark. He didn't just score; he hit the shots that actually mattered.
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When Alabama was trailing 73-71 late in the second half, Philon buried back-to-back triples. Just like that, the lead evaporated. Then, with about 20 seconds left, he hit a "dagger" and-one that pushed the lead to 79-75. That basically iced it, even though Oklahoma’s Nijel Pack tried to play hero at the very end.
Why the First Half Was a Disaster
It’s kinda wild how different the two halves were.
- The Run: Oklahoma ended the first half on a 11-0 run.
- The Drought: Alabama went nearly five minutes without finding the bottom of the net before the break.
- The Defense: The Tide was giving up way too much in the paint, trailing 44-33 at intermission.
Then the second half started and Bama came out like they’d been insulted in the locker room. They opened with a 12-0 run to take the lead. From there, it was a total heavyweight fight. Twelve lead changes. Nine ties. It was the kind of January basketball that makes you forget it's not March yet.
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Breaking Down the Stat Sheet
Aiden Sherrell was massive inside. He’s coming off a career-high game and followed it up with 21 points and nine rebounds yesterday. Without his presence on the glass, Alabama probably loses this game on second-chance points alone.
The Tide actually outscored the Sooners 38-34 in the paint, which is a bit of a surprise if you watched how bullied they looked in the first period. They shot about 44% from the floor, which isn't elite, but they made the free throws when the game turned into a parade to the foul line late in the day.
Oklahoma’s Xzayvier Brown did everything he could with 21 points, and Derrion Reid was a beast with 16 points and nine boards before dealing with some nasty leg cramps. You hate to see a guy go down like that in a close game, but he did return to try and save the ship. It just wasn't enough.
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What This Means for Alabama Moving Forward
This win is a "resume builder." Plain and simple. Winning on the road in the SEC is never easy, and doing it after being down double digits shows a lot of grit.
Alabama is now 3-2 in conference play. They’ve won two in a row after a somewhat shaky 1-2 start to the league schedule. They're starting to look like that dangerous, high-tempo team everyone expected at the start of the season.
Other Bama Sports from the Weekend
It wasn't just basketball. If you're a multi-sport fan, the gymnastics team had a heartbreaker on Friday night. The No. 4 Crimson Tide fell to No. 1 Florida by a razor-thin margin: 197.425 to 197.275. Freshman Azaraya Ra-Akbar was a bright spot there, winning the all-around title in her debut.
Over in Bloomington, the track and field team actually crushed it at the Indiana Invitational. They brought home three event titles, including a facility record in the men’s 4x400-meter relay. It’s a busy time to be a Tide fan, but the basketball win is definitely the headline that'll be talked about at the water cooler tomorrow.
Actionable Insights for Tide Fans:
Keep an eye on the injury report for the next few days. The high-intensity style Nate Oats plays can wear guys down, and with the SEC schedule heating up, depth is going to be everything. If Sherrell and Philon keep this chemistry up, Bama is a lock for a high seed come tournament time. Check the local listings for the next home game at Coleman Coliseum—it's likely to be a sellout after a road win like this.