No. 4 Alabama Tames Scrappy LSU Tigers For SEC Home Win

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The No.4 Crimson Tide men's basketball team (17-3, 6-1 SEC) pulled off a home conference win in a Saturday night slugfest inside Coleman Coliseum, 80-73, over the LSU Tigers (12-7, 1-5 SEC).

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It was a breakout game for transfer Chris Youngblood, who went 5-6 from the floor to lead all scorers with 11 points in the first half as both teams went to the locker room tied at 40.

Auburn transfer Aden Holloway also came off the bench for the second game in a row to lead the Crimson Tide in scoring, logging 19 on the night after shooting 5-14 from the field and a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe.

For All-American Mark Sears, though, it was a night to forget as the senior point guard was held scoreless in the first half and sat for most of the second. While some on social media speculated if Sears was hurt, the Muscle Shoals native did not appear injured before sitting the entire second half and logging only 17 minutes on the night.

Alabama hit 50% of its shots in the first half, which saw eight lead changes, while LSU won the rebounding game 23-17. The Crimson Tide finished shooting 44% for the entire game.

A physical second half saw the Tide take advantage of its trips to the free-throw line, finishing 18-22 (82%).

Five Crimson Tide players finished in double-figures: Aden Holloway (19), Mo Dioubate (14), Chris Youngblood (13), Grant Nelson (12), Labaron Philon (11).

Clifford Omoruyi led the way on the glass for the Tide, finishing with nine total rebounds.

The win brings Alabama's current streak over the LSU Tigers to five, with the Crimson Tide's last loss to the SEC foe coming in an 80-77 overtime decision in the 2021-22 season.

The Crimson Tide will return to action on Wednesday when Alabama travels to Starkville, Mississippi to take on Mississippi State.

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m., with SEC Network carrying the broadcast.

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