The Alabama Crimson Tide overcame another cold shooting start to defeat Kent State, 81-54, Sunday at Coleman Coliseum to head into the Christmas break with their fourth straight win.
Alabama (10-2 overall) never trailed in the game, but the sixth-ranked Crimson Tide’s slow start included three turnovers and an 0-for-7 mark from downtown in the game’s first four minutes. Alabama would miss its first eight shots and go over four minutes without a field goal.
Good thing Kent State (8-3) was just as cold. Alabama played suffocating defense, holding the Golden Flashes to just 2-for-21 shooting in the game’s first 11 minutes. The Crimson Tide would lead by as many as 18 in the half after Mark Sears made a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 30-12 lead.
Alabama led 39-24 at halftime and was +19 off the glass and +7 on turnovers. The Tide’s defense held Kent State to just 23 percent shooting from the field: 9-of-39, including 1-of-15 from downtown. By contrast, Alabama made 39 percent of its first-half shots but were only 2-of-17 from three-point range.
In the second half, Alabama stretched its lead to 19 after Clifford Omoruyi’s jumper put the Crimson Tide ahead 52-33 with 10:34 to play. Two free throws from Sears made it 54-33 as Alabama went up by 20 points for the first time in the game.
With Kent State in a 1-for-13 shooting slump, Houston Mallette’s jumper put Alabama up 60-35 heading into the under-8 timeout. Alabama led by 29 after a pair of 3-pointers from Aden Holloway and one from Labaron Philon with 4:52 to play.
The Tide would go on to lead by as many as 32 after Holloway made a long-range 3-pointer with just over a minute left.
Sears finished with 16 points to lead Alabama. Holloway added 13 points off the bench as the Crimson Tide shot 45 percent from the field and 9-of-35 from downtown.
Alabama’s defense held Kent State to 28 percent from the field and just 2-of-27 from three-point range. The 54 points scored by the Golden Flashes were tied for the fewest allowed by Alabama all season. Nate Oats’ team out-rebounded Kent State, 60-40, and won the turnover battle, 19-11.
Alabama basketball 2024-25 schedule
Alabama will face South Dakota State (9-5) to close out nonconference play next Sunday at Coleman Coliseum. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on ESPN+.