TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 4 Alabama avoided what would have been a surprising upset against LSU by a score of 80-73.

After going back-and-forth all night long, with the game being within two possessions or less until the final five minutes of the game. WIth clutch defensive stops down the stretch combined with the Alabama backcourt stepping up in clutch time the Crimson Tide propelled its way to victory.

“I thought we did a pretty good job defensively in the second half. I didn’t think our second half defense has been very good lately. I’m super proud of the way they came out and guarded in the second half,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said.

Alabama guards Aden Holloway and Labaron Philon led the way with field goals in clutch time and converting on their free throw opportunities. Holloway finished the game with a team-high 19 points, shooting 5-for-14 from the field and making three of his eight 3-point attempts. 

“We made it a big point of emphasis to just keep them off the offensive rebounds and just play a little bit harder and finish possessions,” Holloway said on the turnaround after halftime.

After Alabama was out rebounded by six, including allowing 13 offensive rebounds in the first half, the defensive effort looked much better in the second half. The Crimson Tide out rebounded the Tigers 24-20 in the second half and held LSU to just four offensive rebounds. 

Alabama center Clifford Omoruyi was the team’s biggest contributor in rebounding category. Omoruyi came up with seven crucial rebounds in the second half that led to Alabama pulling away.

“Cliff was not rebounding like we needed him to in the first half, was not playing as hard as we liked. And he ends up going out playing extremely hard in the second half and it created an attitude on the bench,” Oats said.

Alabama guard Chris Youngblood got his first start of the season Saturday night. With Labaron Philon dealing with an ankle injury that kept him out of Friday’s practice on top of his recent struggles, Youngblood got the start.

“The bigger reason was he [Philon] has been struggling a little lately, and I thought maybe playing him against the second unit,” Oats said. “CY [Chris Youngblood] just wanted to impact winning and I thought he impacted winning tonight. He started out five for five to start the game.”

Youngblood made his presence known on the court after being responsible for Alabama’s first nine points of the game off of three made shots and an assist. Youngblood finished the game with 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting and adding five rebounds to his total

“It felt good,” Youngblood said of his opportunity to get his first start. “This team is wonderful, so I just embraced coming off the bench, but they put me in the starting lineup tonight.”

The Alabama defense also did its job forcing turnovers. After Alabama lost the turnover battle 8-6 in the first half, the Crimson Tide flipped the script, getting eight takeaways in the second half.

One notable thing from Saturday’s game was lack of production from Alabama point guard Mark Sears. Sears finished the game scoreless, missing all five of his shots and played just 17 minutes. It was Sears second scoreless game this season. His other game where he was held to no points was in November’s win over Illinois.

“The team leadership was great. We just played the guys we thought gave us the best chance to play in the second half,” Oats said.

Up next, the Crimson Tide will go on the road Wednesday to Starkville, Mississippi as Alabama gets ready to face off against Mississippi State. The Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs are set to tip off at 8 p.m. CT.