TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In an exciting matchup, the fourth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide triumphed over Vanderbilt with a score of 103-87 on Tuesday night, thanks to standout performances from Aden Holloway and Mouhamed Dioubate, who each netted 22 points.
Holloway showcased his shooting skills, hitting eight of his 11 attempts from the field, which included four shots from beyond the arc. Dioubate proved to be a force inside, going 7-for-8 shooting and converting six free throws while also grabbing 10 rebounds for Alabama, which now boasts a record of 16-3 and 5-1 in the Southeastern Conference.
Mark Sears further contributed to the victory with 21 points and seven assists, demonstrating the depth of talent on Alabama’s roster.
Vanderbilt, now standing at 15-4 overall and 3-3 in conference play, was spearheaded by Jason Edwards with 21 points and Tyler Nickel with 19 points. Devin McGlockton emerged as a rebounding leader, securing 14 boards for the Commodores.
Analyzing the game, it’s clear that Vanderbilt’s 87 points marked a season high against a major conference rival. The Commodores managed to shoot 38.8% from the field and 42.3% from three-point range.
On Alabama’s side, Dioubate’s season-high 22 points came at a crucial time, especially as Grant Nelson struggled with his shot, attempting just six field goals. Labaron Philon also struggled in this game, hitting only two of his ten attempts from the field.
A pivotal moment occurred in the second half when a flurry of three-pointers from Vanderbilt cut Alabama’s lead from 19 to just 10 points with 15 minutes remaining. However, the Tide responded with an 8-0 run over the course of just 57 seconds, forcing a quick timeout from the Commodores. Despite their efforts, Vanderbilt struggled to get the deficit back to single digits until the closing minutes of the game.
A noteworthy statistic from this game is that Vanderbilt committed 24 fouls, resulting in Alabama taking 34 free throw attempts. The Crimson Tide capitalized by making 23 of those, surpassing Vanderbilt’s total of 18 attempts throughout the game.
Looking ahead, Alabama will remain at home for an upcoming matchup against LSU on Saturday, while Vanderbilt will prepare to host No. 9 Kentucky in their next contest.