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Alabama Basketball: Second Half struggles cost Tide a win over Purdue

By Nicholas Rome

Oct 18, 2023; Brimingham, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats talks with the media during the SEC Basketball Tipoff at Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2023; Brimingham, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats talks with the media during the SEC Basketball Tipoff at Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Alabama Basketball team dropped its game against the fourth-ranked Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday. The Crimson Tide took a two-point lead into the second half and led by nine with 16 minutes left in the second half. The Alabama Basketball team was outscored by eight points in the second half and outscored by 15 points in the last 16 minutes of the game.

The Boilermakers were led by reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey, who scored 35 points in 37 minutes while grabbing seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Braden Smith added 27 points for the Boilermakers with eight assists. Aside from scoring consistently, the difference in this game was at the free throw line, as Purdue shot 24-28 from the line while the Alabama Basketball team shot 9-14 from the line.

Despite injury, Alabama Basketball PF Grant Nelson was able to play in Saturday’s matchup. Nelson finished the game with 11 points, as did teammate Mohamed Wague. The Alabama Basketball team was powered by Mark Sears’ 35-point game. This game was a quiet performance from Aaron Estrada who scored a season-low five points.

Alabama Basketball struggled as it wasn’t able to force Zach Edey into foul trouble early, and the Purdue big man finished the game with only three fouls. The Boilermakers also outshot Alabama from the field, from the line, and from three while turning the ball over four times less than the Crimson Tide.

Alabama Basketball: Two big opportunities lie ahead

The Crimson Tide had an opportunity to knock off the fourth-ranked Boilermakers. Now it will turn its attention towards knocking off tenth-ranked Creighton before a face-off with top-ranked Arizona.

Alabama Basketball got back big man Nick Pringle today whom was serving a suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team.” Entering matchups against Creighton and Arizona, the Crimson Tide will need a stronger performance from the bench as the Alabama bench only scored 16 points in 62 minutes.

Next. Crimson Tide lands Top 50 player in 2025 class. dark

Note: All stats via ESPN

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