Eric Boggs 
Alabama and Houston
The No. 9 Alabama men’s basketball team secured a gritty 85-80 overtime victory over No. 6 Houston on Tuesday night in the opening game of the Players Era Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The win marked Alabama’s second consecutive triumph over a ranked opponent, following last week’s victory against then-No. 25 Illinois.
This high-stakes clash featured 10 ties and 13 lead changes, with Alabama showcasing resilience on both ends of the court to improve to 5-1 on the season. Houston, a perennial powerhouse with more wins over the past five years than any other program, fell to 3-2 despite a 30-point performance from LJ Cryer.
Dominance on the Glass and Clutch Performances
Alabama’s ability to control the boards was pivotal. The Crimson Tide outrebounded Houston 48-39, including a season-high 20 offensive rebounds, far surpassing the Cougars’ previous season high allowed of 11. Sophomore forward Mouhamed Dioubate was a standout, recording his first career double-double with 10 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, along with three blocks.
“I just play my game, honestly,” Dioubate said. “Coach told me before the game, ‘This is a Mo Dioubate game,’ so I was prepared. I brought the intensity tonight, and we got the win.”
Head coach Nate Oats praised Dioubate’s energy and defensive impact, comparing him to former Alabama star Noah Clowney. “Mo erased mistakes out there,” Oats said. “His rebounding and timely blocks were huge for us.”
Offensively, senior guard Mark Sears led Alabama with 24 points, including a clutch three-pointer late in regulation and another in overtime. Sears also moved to No. 23 on Alabama’s all-time scoring list with 1,353 career points.
Game Highlights
- First Half: The opening 20 minutes were a back-and-forth battle, with eight lead changes and four ties. Alabama dominated the boards, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds, but trailed 36-34 at halftime after a late scoring drought.
- Second Half: Alabama came out firing from beyond the arc, hitting four of its first six three-point attempts. Houston responded with a 10-0 run to take a late lead, but Alabama’s defense clamped down, holding the Cougars without a field goal for the final 3:17 of regulation. Latrell Wrightsell Jr. tied the game at 78 with two clutch free throws, sending the contest to overtime.
- Overtime: Alabama outscored Houston 7-2 in the extra period, with contributions from four different players. Sears’ three-pointer at the 3:59 mark gave the Crimson Tide a lead they never relinquished.
Team Effort and Milestones
Alabama had five players score in double figures, with Grant Nelson contributing 13 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Dioubate’s 16 rebounds were a career high, and his 40 blue-collar points, which measure hustle and effort plays, set a team-high under Oats.
Despite freshman guard Labaron Philon’s uncharacteristic struggles (0-of-9 from the field), the Crimson Tide found a way to win through collective effort. “This was a cage match in Vegas,” Oats said postgame. “To outrebound a team like Houston by nine, you’ve got to have some tough guys on your team. I’m proud of all of our guys.”
What’s Next
Alabama returns to action tonight at 9 p.m. CT against Rutgers in the second game of the Players Era Festival, airing on TBS. The Crimson Tide will look to build on their momentum and secure another statement win.
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