Alabama
20-3,9-1SEC
Arkansas
14-9,3-7SEC
No. 3/3 Alabama Pulls Out Road Win at Arkansas
2/8/2025 11:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Crimson Tide end the week tied for first place in the SEC
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 3/3 Alabama men's basketball team sits in a tie for first-place in the Southeastern Conference following its 85-81 win Saturday night on the road against Arkansas. The Crimson Tide had four players score double-figures led by Grant Nelson and Chris Youngblood scoring 15 points apiece.
The Crimson Tide (20-3, 9-1 SEC) led by as many as 18 points in the second and survived a late run made by the Razorbacks, coming within two points of Alabama's lead in the final five seconds of the game. Despite converting a season-low five three-pointers in the game, Alabama outscored Arkansas 56-36 inside the paint as Alabama's frontcourt of Nelson (15 points), Mouhamed Dioubate (14 points) and Clifford Omoruyi (nine points) combined to score 38 points.
The Razorbacks (14-9, 3-7 SEC) were led by Zvonimir Ivisic (27 points) and Adou Thiero (22 points) scoring 49 of Arkansas' 81 points.
Head Coach Nate Oats Postgame Comments
"Arkansas had been playing well, winning three of four and the issue was we were up 18 and we didn't close it like we needed to so a lot of credit to Arkansas for not quitting. They fought, stayed in it and took an 18-point lead with 12 (minutes) to go and cut it to three late in the game. I thought out guys did a decent job of closing once they got it to three. Grant was able to get the put-back and we made a couple of free throws but we have to do a better job of closing. We risked losing a road game that we were supposed to win. A lot of credit to them (Arkansas) because we did not do a good job of closing."
Team Stats
- Alabama has now scored 85 points or more in six straight road games, which is the longest single-season streak by any team in SEC history
- Alabama is now 9-1 in the SEC for the third time under head coach Nate Oats. Prior to Oats arrival, the Tide had not started 9-1 or better since 1986-87 prior to Oats
- The Crimson Tide scored 56 points in the paint, matching its season-high
- The Tide's bench outscored Arkansas' bench 31-11 led by Mouhamed Dioubate's 14 points
- Mark Sears was the recipient of the Hard Hat, scoring 11 points along with three rebounds, three assists and one steal
- The Tide shot 54 percent from the field, recording 17 assists off 34 made field goals
First Half
- Five players for Alabama scored six points or more in the first half led by Mark Sears, Aiden Sherrell and Chris Youngblood with seven points apiece
- The Crimson Tide outscored the Razorbacks 24-14 inside the paint
- The Tide's bench scored 16 points while limiting Arkansas to just two points
- Arkansas grabbed nine offensive rebounds, which led to eight second chance points
- Early in the contest Alabama went on a 7-0 run to take a 15-6 lead at the 13:49-mark
- Arkansas' Zvonimir Ivisic (15 points) and Adou Thiero (nine points) sparked its offense scoring 24 of Arkansas' first 30 points
- Alabama held the Razorbacks on a near six-minute scoring draught from 6:19 until 24 seconds left in the half
- Alabama went into the break with a 40-34 lead
Second Half
- Alabama quickly jumped out to a 10-point lead (46-36) by the 17:46-mark of the second half, forcing Arkansas to call a timeout
- ·From 17:01-13:49 Alabama held Arkansas scoreless, helping the Tide extend its lead to 16 points (56-40)
- Alabama took its largest lead of the game with 12:17 left in the game, extending its lead to 18 points (75-57)
- Omoruyi stepped up on the offensive end in the second half, scoring all nine points in the second half
- Arkansas stormed back, cutting Alabama's lead to single-digits with just under four minutes left in the game and came as close two points (83-81) with five seconds left in the contest
- Nelson (nine points), Clifford Omoruyi (nine points), Dioubate (eight points) and Youngblood (8 points) scored 34 of Alabama's 45 points in the second half
Up Next
- Alabama will conclude its roadtrip against Texas on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Moody Center
- Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPN
