No. 9 Alabama triumphed over No. 6 Houston with a score of 85-80 in an intense overtime showdown during the opening night of the Players Era Festival. Mark Sears was a standout performer, contributing 24 points to secure the victory for the Crimson Tide.
Despite leading by eight points with just under nine minutes left, Alabama faced a fierce comeback from Houston, which forced the game into overtime. In the extra period, Alabama regained control, outscoring the Cougars 7-2 to clinch the win.
LJ Cryer of Houston led all players with a remarkable 30 points, matching his career high. However, his chance to seal the game slipped away when he missed a critical mid-range jumper with only two seconds on the clock.
For Alabama, Grant Nelson made a significant impact with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Mouhamed Dioubate added a solid 10 points and 16 rebounds, showcasing the team’s depth.
On the other side, Emanuel Sharp contributed 14 points, and J’Wan Roberts chipped in with 11 points for the Cougars, highlighting their offensive efforts.
Takeaways
For Alabama, this match marked their third consecutive game against a ranked opponent. Following a tough loss to then-No. 13 Purdue, they bounced back to defeat then-No. 25 Illinois before this thrilling overtime victory.
Key moment
A pivotal moment came with just 24 seconds left in the overtime period. With Alabama leading 84-80, Houston’s Joseph Tugler attempted a drive but was thwarted by a block from Alabama’s Derrion Reid. Following that, Roberts fouled Reid, who managed to make one of two free throws, extending the Tide’s lead to five and effectively sealing their victory.
Key stat
Alabama’s aggressive playstyle was evident as they took a staggering 41 free-throw attempts, converting 30. In contrast, Houston struggled with foul trouble, as five players accumulated four or five fouls, leading to both Sharp and Milos Uzan fouling out of the game.
Up next
Looking ahead, Alabama is set to face Rutgers in the next round of the tournament on Wednesday, while Houston will take on Notre Dame in their second-round matchup.
