TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 6 Alabama used an overwhelming defensive performance to take down Kent State 81-54, extending their win-streak to four in the process.

A 16-0 run midway through the first half helped give Alabama the early boost it needed to capture its fourth consecutive victory. After the big run, the Crimson Tide kept its foot on the gas pedal the rest of the afternoon to secure its largest win since Alabama’s first game of the 2024-2025 campaign against UNC Asheville.

Grant Nelson talked about how critical it was to get off to a strong defensive start after a 20-4 start to the game, “Everyone was loading the gaps and helping each other out. It was huge for us to keep them at just six points in the first three media timeouts,” Nelson said. 

While the Crimson Tide scored over 80 points for the 11th time this season, it was the defense that led the way for Alabama. The defense suffocated the Kent State offense both inside and outside of the arc the whole game.

The Alabama defense held the Golden Flashes to 28% shooting from the field on 21-for-75 shooting and forced Kent State to make just two out of their 27 3-point attempts (7.4%). The 54 points allowed by Alabama tied a season-best for points allowed in a game.

Alabama head coach Nate Oats stressed to the defense to show up after allowing 90 points to North Dakota on Wednesday.

“We got a much better defensive effort, so it makes it a better Christmas for us. We did make a big point of emphasis on defense, especially after that debacle in North Dakota,” Oats said.

Alabama also dominated on the glass, especially on the defensive rebounds. Alabama Forward Grant Nelson and center Clifford Omoruyi led the team in rebounds with 14 and 12, respectively. Alabama finished the game with a +20 rebounding margin, out rebounding Kent State 60-40.

Offensively, Alabama put up a rather shaky shooting performance until the final 10 minutes of the game. Through the game’s first 32 minutes, the Crimson Tide put up just 57 points while shooting just 3-for-26 from behind the arc.

In the final eight minutes of the game, the Crimson Tide offense came alive, scoring 24 points and shooting 6-for-9 on 3-pointers. Overall, the Crimson Tide finished 27-for-60 for the game and 9-for-35 from deep. 

Alabama guards Mark Sears and Aden Holloway led the way on offense with Sears scoring 16 and Holloway scoring 13 points with three 3-pointers. Holloway hit all three of his 3s in the second half 

“My teammates kept finding me throughout the game. I wasn’t making them at first, but if you keep shooting they’re going to go in eventually,” Holloway said.

Two issues continued to arise for Alabama in Sunday’s game: turnovers and free throws. The Crimson Tide turned the ball over 17 times, with 11 of them coming in the first half. Sears had a team-high five turnovers with Omoruyi turning it over four times.

Alabama came into the game averaging 27 free throw attempts per game. On Sunday, the Crimson Tide surpassed that averaging, earning 35 trips to the charity stripe. However, Alabama struggled to convert on its free throw opportunities. The Crimson Tide shot just over 50%, going 18-for-35 from the line. The underwhelming performance from the line marked the second consecutive game where Alabama shot 66% or worse from the free throw line.

“I don’t have any answer for the free throw problems, but the only way to fix that is getting in the gym to work. The good news for us is we don’t have school for a few weeks, so we’ll be in the gym and putting some time in,” Oats said.

Up next, Alabama will get a week off before returning back home for the non conference finale against South Dakota State. The Crimson Tide and the Jackrabbits will tip off at 2 p.m. CT on Sunday, Dec. 29.