Alabama
12-5,4-0SEC
Missouri
8-9,0-4SEC
Nate Oats Picks Up 200th Career Win Behind Rylan Griffen’s Career-High 21 Points
1/16/2024 10:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Crimson Tide improve to 4-0 in conference play for the third time in the Oats era
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama men's basketball team improved to 4-0 in Southeastern Conference play behind Rylan Griffen's career-high 21 points, defeating Missouri 93-75 Tuesday night at Coleman Coliseum. With the win, the Crimson Tide maintains at least a share for first place in conference play heading into Saturday's matchup at No. 6/6 Tennessee.
With eight minutes left of regulation, Alabama led by four points, 59-55, and Griffen caught fire, cashing in on four straight three-pointers to give UA a 10-point lead. The Tide would extend its lead to as many as 20 points, before settling for an 18-point win.
Alabama (12-5, 4-0 SEC) had five players finish with double-figures as Aaron Estrada matched Griffen with 21 points, while Grant Nelson (13), Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (11) and Nick Pringle (10) each contributed offensively. Estrada and Nelson also collected a game-high eight rebounds each, with leading scorer Mark Sears adding nine points and six assists.
The Tigers (8-9, 0-4 SEC) had four players finish in double-figures, led by Tamar Bates with 19 points.
Head Coach Nate Oats Postgame Comments
"Missouri gave us everything we could handle. I thought the way they closed the first half was great on their part and it wasn't very good on our part. We had too many turnovers and we couldn't guard. We've had issues with our starts to games and I didn't think our start was great tonight. But I did think the one issue that we've had major problems with this year is how we play at the under 12 and under eight (media timeouts) of the second half. We were significantly better tonight. We've had issues, we've had leads in four of our five losses, leads of six points or more in the second half. So, I thought we did a good job of closing this thing.
"I also would like to say that, considering the bad weather out there tonight, our home crowd was unbelievable. So, I want to thank the students publicly. I think we had almost 3,000 students in here. We needed them and they got loud when we needed it. For a time when everybody could have had an excuse to stay in with the weather, they chose to come out and support us and that means a lot to us. It means a lot to our players and it means a lot to our program so I want to make sure I thank them."
TEAM STATS
- For the first time since 1978, Alabama has started 4-0 in SEC play in back-to-back seasons, marking the third time (in five years) under head coach Nate Oats
- Alabama shot 53 percent (30-57) from the floor, 48 percent (13-27) from range and 95 percent (20-21) from the line
- In comparison, Missouri shot 49 percent (26-53) from the field, 38 percent (8-21) from behind-the-arc and 75 percent (15-20) from the stripe
- UA led in virtually all statistical categories including a 35-23 advantage on the glass and a 17-7 advantage in second chance points
- With Tuesday's victory, UA extends its win streak to five consecutive games heading into Saturday's showdown
- Alabama led for 35:40 of the contest compared to Mizzou leading for just 2:40
FIRST HALF
- After Mizzou started the game hitting each of its first five field goals, Alabama's defense held the Tigers scoreless for nearly five minutes
- After going on a pair of 6-0 runs, extending its lead to the largest of the half (11 points), the Tide was held without a field goal over the final 4:15 of the half, settling for a two-point lead (36-34) at the break
- Nick Pringle led the UA with 10 points at the half
- Aaron Estrada also had an active opening 20 minutes, finishing the half with seven points, six rebounds and four assists
- UA assisted on 9-of-13 first-half field goals, led 7-2 in second chance points and had a three-point lead on the boards (17-14)
SECOND HALF
- Alabama outrebounded Missouri 18-9 in the second half
- Griffen cashed in on 4-5 threes over the game's final 20 minutes
- He went on to score 16 of his 21 points in the second half along with Aaron Estrada also scoring 14 of his 21 points in the second half
UP NEXT
- Alabama returns to action Saturday, Jan. 20, taking on Tennessee inside the Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn.
- The game is slated for tipoff at 1 p.m. CT and will air live on ESPN2
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