With Alabama’s win over Missouri 85-64, and Texas A&M’s loss to Kentucky Saturday, the Crimson Tide took sole possession of first place in the SEC standings.
Saturday’s win brought Alabama’s overall record to 17-2 with a 7-0 SEC record and was the first time under Nate Oats that the Crimson Tide has traveled to Missouri and left victorious. Alabama continued their streak of winning every SEC game by double digits with the 21-point win.
While Missouri was without their leading scorer Saturday, Alabama welcomed back their defensive leader Nimari Burnett. Burnett recorded two rebounds in his five minutes of limited action, but it was a positive sign to see the sophomore guard back on the floor just a month after wrist surgery.
Alabama had four players score in double figures against Missouri Saturday. Noah Clowney finished the game with a double-double with 14 rebounds and tied with Mark Sears for a game-high 17 points. Brandon Miller tallied 15 points, and both Miller and Sears recorded eight rebounds apiece, just two rebounds shy of a double-double of their own. Jahvon Quinerly came off the bench and provided a nice spark with 13 points.
Three-point shooting was not as productive for the Crimson Tide as in previous games, so Alabama had to rely on what they do best, which is rebounding the basketball. Once again, Alabama won the rebounding battle with a 53-45 advantage over Missouri, led by Noah Clowney’s 13 rebounds. Alabama had 16 offensive rebounds that led to 21 second-chance points to just seven second-chance points for Missouri.
The Crimson Tide also did a good deal of damage from the free throw line hitting 25 of their 32 attempts for a 78% free throw percentage. Free throws and rebounds are key factors in winning tough road games, especially when the three-pointers aren’t going down.
Alabama will return back home to Coleman Coliseum for their next matchup against Mississippi State Wednesday, January 25.
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