No. 8 Alabama men’s basketball failed to keep up with No. 12 Gonzaga in the second half of its opening matchup at the Players Era Festival and suffered its second loss of the year, 95-85.
Second-half offensive struggles, including eight missed free throws, hindered the Crimson Tide, as the Bulldogs’ offense continued to soar. Star guard Labaron Philon Jr. had a career night with 29 points, often serving as the team’s only consistent source of offense, but ended the second half having not scored in the final 10 minutes.
Four Crimson Tide players scored in double figures, but the other six players to see action combined for just 15 points.
“We can’t ask him to score 40 to win the game,” head coach Nate Oats said of Philon postgame.
Oats said that Philon needs to take care of the ball better and do a better job on rebounds. He added that Philon needs to set up teammates better to aid in the scoring effort.
Gonzaga star guard Tyon Grant-Foster, who previously faced Alabama in the NCAA tournament during his time at Grand Canyon, starred for the Bulldogs. He scored 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting, to pair with 7 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal.
“We showed a video of Tyon Grant-Foster just destroying people on the glass,” Oats said.
He added that Grant-Foster has “killed us twice now.”
Philon began the game on a heater, scoring 5 of Alabama’s 9 points in the first four minutes of action. He also dished out an assist and picked up a steal.
Guard Aden Holloway starred alongside Philon in the backcourt in the first half, tallying 7 points. Forward Keitenn Bristow continued his impact in return from injury, dropping 5 points on 2-of-3 shooting.
Gonzaga’s big men shone to begin the game, with forwards Braden Huff and Graham Ike scoring 12 and 10 first-half points, respectively. Ike ended the half having made his last five shots, after beginning the evening 0-for-6 from the field.
Gonzaga’s frontcourt combined for 60 points on the night, despite center Aiden Sherrell having what Oats described as “probably Aiden’s best game.”
Alabama has been dominated on the glass in both of its early-season losses, losing the rebounding battle 52-28 to Purdue on Nov. 13 and tonight against Gonzaga, 48-36.
“Our frontcourt’s gonna have to bring it on, [and] be better,” Oats said.
Philon continued his strong evening with a quick 9 points in the opening 5:46 of the second half, but the Bulldogs opened their lead up to 7 points. The Crimson Tide responded with 10 straight points, while Gonzaga went on a scoring drought of nearly five minutes, to take a 61-60 lead at the 11:55 mark.
In the second half, Gonzaga was able to limit Alabama to just 15 attempts from beyond the arc. The Crimson Tide made just six of those 15 attempts from 3-point range, and three came with under three minutes remaining, when the Crimson Tide trailed by double digits.
The Crimson Tide trailed by 12 points with 2:17 to go after Gonzaga scored 11 straight, while Alabama missed 7 of 8 shots and entered a scoring drought that neared four minutes in length.
Alabama soon resorted to fouling Gonzaga shooters, who made seven free throws in the final minute of action.
No. 8 Alabama returns to action tomorrow, facing off with the University of Nevada-Las Vegas Rebels. Tipoff is slated for 10:59 p.m. CT and can be streamed on truTV.
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