Alabama Takes Offensive Shootout With Razorbacks in Double Overtime

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama Crimson Tide faced arguably its toughest game left on the schedule on Wednesday night, with the 20th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks coming to town for a top-25 matchup in Coleman Coliseum. The Razorbacks, led by legendary head coach John Calipari, could push the Crimson Tide and match the pace of play that Alabama head coach Nate Oats loves to see his team play with. Calipari and the Razorbacks pushed Oats and the Tide, even holding a 14-point lead early in the second half, but the Tide weathered the storm, and thanks to big-time shots from Amari Allen, Latrell Wrightsell Jr., and Labaron Philon, Alabama came back from its poor defensive performance to claim the 117-115 double overtime victory over Arkansas.

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Arkansas could not miss in the first half, figuratively speaking, of course. The Hogs' star freshman Darius Acuff Jr. surpassed his season points-per-game average in the first half, dropping 22 on the Crimson Tide while holding a 57-47 lead at the halftime break. Calipari is known for his offensive output, and against an Alabama team that struggles to defend, Arkansas took advantage of the favorable matchup, shooting 62% from three-point range, while scoring 1.629 points per possession. Meleek Thomas also surpassed his season points-per-game average in the first half, scoring 16 for the Razorbacks. The Crimson Tide spread the scoring output around better, with Labaron Philon and Amari Allen scoring 11 points in the first half. Aden Holloway was just behind them with nine points.

The Tide channeled its former head coach, Avery Johnson, on Wednesday night with a tale of two halves. The Tide's star sophomore guard, Labaron Philon, took over the game for Alabama, scoring 21 points in the second half and overtime en route to his second-career 30-point performance. Philon finished Wednesday night against Arkansas with a career-high 35 points. He dropped 32 against Mississippi State on January 13. Meanwhile, Alabama freshman forward Amari Allen secured his fifth-career double-double with19 points and 11 rebounds. Alabama center Aiden Sherrell also recorded his first career double-double with 26 points and 13 rebounds, helping push the Crimson Tide to victory over Arkansas.

It took extra time on Wednesday night after Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. hit the game-tying three with less than 20 seconds left in regulation, giving him 41 points on the night. Overtime saw the lifeblood of this Alabama roster, Houston Mallette, sink a clutch three-point shot to give Alabama a two-point lead. The shot in the first overtime period was the first make Mallette had on the night, with the second coming in the second overtime period, where Mallette drilled another three-pointer to give the Tide a four-point lead and solidify the win for Alabama.

The efforts of Aden Holloway can't go unnoticed, either. The junior guard may have scored a modest 15 points on Wednesday night, but he was a perfect five-for-five from the floor, one-for-one from three-point range, and four-for-four from the free-throw line. He also collected three rebounds and notched two assists in the two-point victory.

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Alabama advances to 19-7 (9-4) on the season after the thrilling victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks, moving into second place in the SEC men's basketball standings. The Tide's next game will come on Saturday, February 21, on the road against the LSU Tigers.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.