TUSCALOOSA, AL — The No. 12 Alabama Crimson Tide (7-2) survived a scare from the unranked Clemson Tigers (6-3) Wednesday night, overcoming a second-half surge to secure a hard-fought 90-84 victory in the highly anticipated ACC/SEC Challenge at Coleman Coliseum.
Freshman guard Labaron Philon delivered a spectacular performance, tying his career high with 29 points, including the clutch go-ahead scores that stemmed the tide of Clemson’s furious comeback attempt.
A Game of Two Halves
Alabama appeared to be cruising early on. Head coach Nate Oats’ squad utilized a hot shooting hand from beyond the arc to jump out to a 19-point lead. With crisp ball movement and aggressive defense, the Crimson Tide went into the locker room at halftime holding a commanding 45-30 advantage, seemingly well on their way to another dominant home victory.
However, the second half told a different story. Clemson, resilient and determined, methodically clawed their way back into the contest. Led by the stellar play of RJ Godfrey, who finished with a season-high 19 points, the Tigers unleashed a 24-9 run that stunned the Tuscaloosa crowd and tied the game.
The Tigers even managed to take an 83-81 lead with under three minutes remaining, threatening a major upset.
Philon and Allen Step Up
With the game hanging in the balance and the team missing several key players due to injury, Alabama needed a spark. They found it in their young stars.
Philon answered the call, hitting a crucial jumper to retake the lead. But it was the effort of freshman forward Amari Allen that proved vital. Making his first career start, Allen registered his first career double-double with a season-high 20 points and 11 rebounds. His energy on the boards and timely scoring provided the stability Alabama needed during Clemson’s run.
“We knew they weren’t going to quit,” Oats said post-game. “Clemson is a tough team. We had to dig deep. I’m incredibly proud of how our young guys responded when things got tight there at the end.”
Alabama closed the game on a decisive 9-1 run, shutting down Clemson’s offense in the final minutes and sealing the 90-84 win.
Looking Ahead
Alabama maintains its top-15 ranking with the victory and improves its record to 7-2 on the young season. Their two losses came against highly-ranked opponents Purdue and Gonzaga. The Boilermakers are undefeated and currently the nation’s top-ranked team. The Crimson Tide will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup as they prepare to complete the non-conference slate ahead of SEC play. Clemson drops to 6-3 but proved they are a force to be reckoned with, demonstrating significant heart in the defeat.
The game provided another early-season test of endurance and resolve for the Crimson Tide, a test they ultimately passed under the bright lights of Coleman Coliseum.
