Crimson Tide's Resilient Display: A Second-Half Masterclass Secures Victory
Wrightsell Jr.'s Three-Point Barrage Propels Alabama to Victory
Latrell Wrightsell Jr. delivered a standout performance, sinking six three-pointers in the second half, which was instrumental in guiding Alabama to a convincing 93-74 win over Ole Miss in a Southeastern Conference matchup held in Oxford, Mississippi.
Key Contributors and Team Performance
Wrightsell Jr. led the Crimson Tide with 21 points, converting 7 of 13 attempts from beyond the arc and matching his personal best for made three-pointers. He was ably supported by Labaron Philon Jr., who chipped in 18 points, Aiden Sherrell with 15, Amari Allen adding 13, and Aden Holloway contributing 12 points to the team's impressive offensive display.
Current Standings and Team Momentum
This victory marked Alabama's (17-7, 7-4 SEC) third consecutive win and their sixth in the last eight games, demonstrating strong momentum. Conversely, Ole Miss (11-13, 3-8) suffered their sixth straight defeat, equaling their longest losing streak since the 2022-23 season.
Ole Miss's Top Performers
For Ole Miss, guard AJ Storr was the leading scorer for all players, matching his season-high with 27 points. Eduardo Klafke also made a significant contribution with 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds.
Alabama's Three-Point Prowess
Alabama showcased exceptional shooting from long range in the second half, hitting 12 of 22 three-point attempts and finishing the game with a 37.8% success rate (17 of 45). This marks the fifth consecutive game where the Crimson Tide have made 12 or more three-pointers.
Second-Half Offensive Explosion
The Crimson Tide's offensive burst in the second half began with three-pointers from Wrightsell, Jr., Sherrell, and Allen, sparking a 13-6 run. This extended their slim 32-30 halftime advantage to a more comfortable 45-36 lead.
Wrightsell Jr.'s Continued Dominance
Wrightsell Jr. continued his impressive shooting streak, burying back-to-back three-pointers that further widened Alabama's lead to 59-44 during the midway point of the second half.
Rebels' Brief Resurgence and Alabama's Unyielding Response
Playing their first home game since January 20, the Rebels attempted a comeback, narrowing the deficit to 62-54 after a Klafke jumper with 7:36 left. However, Wrightsell Jr. quickly countered with another crucial three-pointer from an out-of-bounds play, ensuring that Ole Miss would not get within eight points for the remainder of the contest.
Decisive Second-Half Scoring
After a slow start in the first half where Alabama managed a season-low 32 points, they dramatically turned the tide in the final 20 minutes, outscoring Ole Miss 61-44 to secure the victory.
Ole Miss's Early Lead and Alabama's Comeback
Initially, the Rebels, led by Storr's strong start, built a 20-11 lead with nine minutes remaining in the first half. Storr made his first five shots but was forced to the bench after picking up his second foul. Alabama capitalized on this, as the Rebels missed ten consecutive field goal attempts, and the Tide's accurate free-throw shooting allowed them to gain their first lead since the game's opening minutes, making it 30-27 with 1:44 left in the half, courtesy of a Philon Jr. three-pointer.
First Half Struggles and Free Throw Advantage
Alabama struggled with their shooting early on, making only 4 of 24 field goal attempts and missing 17 of their first 19 three-pointers. Despite this, their efficiency from the free-throw line, converting 11 of 12 attempts, kept them in the game. In contrast, Ole Miss missed four of their six free throws in the first half.
Storr's First-Half Offensive Production
Coming off the bench, Storr was the standout offensive player in the first half, contributing 13 points to the Rebels' effort.
Absence of Key Player Charles Bediako
Alabama played this game without their center Charles Bediako, a former G League player who had been averaging 10.0 points in the preceding five games. A Tuscaloosa circuit court judge had denied Bediako's request for a preliminary injunction that would have allowed him to continue playing for Alabama.