Alabama
#10 Texas A&M
No. 5/5 Alabama Holds on to Defeat No. 10/9 Texas A&M, 94-88
1/11/2025 10:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Mark Sears led the Crimson Tide with a game high 27 points in the victory
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The No. 5/5 Alabama men's basketball team led by as many as 15 points and was able to hold on down the stretch to defeat No. 10/9 Texas A&M, 94-88, Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd inside Reed Arena. It marked the Tide's eighth consecutive victory and third straight to open Southeastern Conference play.
Alabama (14-2, 3-0 SEC) was led by Mark Sears' game high 27 points, including hitting 9-10 from the free throw line to top four players in double figures. Aden Holloway had 15 points, while Chris Youngblood (14) and Derrion Reid (11) also reached double digits.
The Aggies (13-3, 2-1 SEC) were led by Zhuric Phelps' 24 points, while Pharrel Payne had 23.
Head Coach Nate Oats Postgame Comments
"That was a tough, hard-fought and physical game. That is what they (Texas A&M) do and I don't know what it is about this part of the country because our game against Houston, who is not too far from here, felt like the same deal, whoever can get the most rebounds and they were all over the glass. Our guys did well even though we gave up 32 second chance points. We were good enough to win and it's good that we shot the ball well from three in the first half and that is more of what we expect to shoot this year. I thought a lot of guys played well for us tonight. This is a game if you are planning on winning the league and that is what we are trying to do, you have to go on the road and win these games."
Team Stats
- The contest marked the first time two AP top 10 teams squared off inside Reed Arena
- Alabama (31) and Texas A&M (27) combined for 58 fouls and 88 free throw attempts (UA 27-40, A&M 28-48)
- The Tide finished with 24 offensive rebounds while the Aggies had 23 offensive boards, helping UA to a 54-46 lead in total rebounds
- A&M made the most of its second-chance opportunities, doubling up Alabama in second chance points (32-16)
- Behind Aden Holloway (15), Chris Youngblood (14) and Derrion Reid (11), the Alabama bench outscored Texas A&M's reserves, 40-31
- UA held a 21-7 advantage in fast break points
- The Tide led by as many as 15 points (78-63) and never trailed on its way to starting league play, 3-0
- Alabama's 94 points is the most in program history at College Station breaking the previous high of 74 points during the 1991-92 season
- Mark Sears moved to No. 16 on Alabama's all-time scoring list with 1,565 career points, passing John Petty Jr.
First Half
- Alabama went on an early 6-0 run to take an 8-2 lead at the 16:22-mark
- The Crimson Tide's defense was exceptional to start the game, holding the Aggies without a made field goal for over seven minutes (18:39-12:11)
- The Aggies went on a 7-0 run to cut Alabama's lead to 16-15 at the 10:55 mark
- Eight of Alabama's first 10 field goals were three-pointers
- Mark Sears led all scorers in the first half with 15 points
- Alabama converted 10 three-pointers, the second-most in a half this season for the Tide (12 vs. South Dakota State)
- Alabama outrebounded Texas A&M 29-21
- The Tide went into the break with a 52-44 lead
Second Half
- Alabama held Texas A&M to a 2:25 scoring drought to take a double-digit lead (62-52) at the 11:45 mark
- Alabama's duo of Chris Youngblood (six points) and Mark Sears (two points) went on an 8-0 run, jumping out to a 70-55 lead, forcing Texas A&M to take a timeout with 10 minutes left in the game
- After Alabama led by 15 points (78-63), Texas A&M went on a 7-0 run, cutting Alabama's lead to single-digits (78-70) forcing Alabama to call a timeout with just under six minutes left in the game
- The Aggies went on a 6-0 run to make it a single-possession game (83-80) with 2:52 left in the game
- A&M would not get any closer as Alabama hit its final seven free throws to seal the victory
Up Next
- Alabama will return home to face Ole Miss on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Coleman Coliseum
- Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPNU
