Tide Earn Critical Road Win in Oxford to Set Up Clash vs. Tennessee

February 29, 2024 Michael Brauner AL BASKETBALL, Alabama, Alabama, Featured News, SEC
NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 06: Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats during a game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and Alabama Crimson Tide, January 6, 2024 at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire)
(Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire)

The Alabama Crimson Tide were victorious on Wednesday night in Oxford over the Ole Miss Rebels by a score of 103-88.

It was the ninth time this season that the Tide have gone over 100-points, tying an SEC record also held by the 1995-96 Kentucky Wildcats.

The game started very similarly to the way the disaster against Kentucky began, a severe lack of defense combined with the Rebels seemingly making every shot.

Alabama found itself down by 14 points in the middle of the first-half, but battled back during a stretch to close the first half on a 16-5 run and only trail by three at the break.

The Tide then would dominate most of the second half and though they would struggle for a few minutes to completely put it away, they would still secure a 15-point win.

Mark Sears was, as per usual, fantastic with 26 points along with five rebounds and four assists.

But it was Aaron Estrada whole stole the show with his 18, 10, and 10 performance which was good for Alabama’s first triple-double by a player since Kira Lewis in 2020. Estrada also added four steals to go along with it.

The Tide had six players in double figures including freshman guard Davin Cosby Jr., who scored 15 points on five made threes along with two critical shots down the stretch to seal the victory.

Rylan Griffen added 14 points while Grant Nelson and Nick Pringle each put up 10.

Nate Oats after the game spoke about Alabama’s slow start and ability to overcome it.

“They were obviously much more ready to play than we were. Give them a lot of credit for having their guys ready to go, and we need to do a better job on defense out of the gate. We get down 14, I thought our guys showed a ton of character, a lot of grit,” Oats said.

Alabama now sets up for a showdown against Tennessee this weekend in a game that could very well decide the SEC regular season title with College Gameday in town.

The massive tilt will be at 7 P.M. CST on ESPN in Coleman Coliseum.

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