Alabama men’s basketball won its first game of the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas on Tuesday, beating Houston 85-80 in overtime. The win moved the Crimson Tide to 5-1 on the season.
Nate Oats’ group will be back in action for its second game of the event on Wednesday. Before that, here’s what to know from Tuesday’s thriller
Overtime battle
For most of the way, Tuesday’s game was full of defensive runs. That continued into overtime, when the Crimson Tide was able to seal the deal.
Houston was led by LJ Cryer, who finished the game with 30 points. However, none of the Cougars were able to score for the final 3:17 of the overtime period.
According to Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears, the makeup of the 2024-25 roster was helpful at the end of the game.
“It really showed when we went to overtime,” Sears said. “We had so much depth in the game. We were able to really push the pace and they really kind of couldn’t handle it.”
Sears hit a three to start over time, before the Cougars made it a one-point game with a layup. After that, it was all Alabama, with Grant Nelson and Mo Dioubate sinking free throws, and a Derrion Reid layup.
Mark Sears: Back
In the second half of Alabama’s win over Illinois in Birmingham, the Tide’s final game before the Players Era Festival, Sears was mostly on the bench. He finished the game with zero points, and Oats told reporters that Sears had kept himself out due to how well the rest of the team was playing without him.
On Tuesday, the point guard from Muscle Shoals was back to his full offensive self. Sears finished the game leading the Crimson Tide with 24 points.
“My teammates really uplifted me,” Sears said. “And I can’t do it without them because they gave me all the confidence tonight.”
Aden Holloway was second in scoring for Alabama, with 14 points. Grant Nelson had 13 points.
What’s next?
The Players Era Festival continues Wednesday for the Crimson Tide. Alabama will face Rutgers, in a matchup that will be meaningful for one of UA’s newcomers.
Center Cliff Omoruyi transferred in from Rutgers during the offseason. He had four points and pulled in three rebounds for the Tide on Tuesday, playing limited minutes due to how well Dioubate was playing.
“Hopefully tomorrow’s Cliff’s night,” Oats said. “Who knows, but he should have fresh legs.”
Wednesday’s game is scheduled to tip off at 9 p.m. CT in Las Vegas. It will be aired on TBS.
