Texas defeats Alabama 88-92
Alabama Falls Short in Thrilling 92-88 Defeat at Home Against Texas
In a captivating conference matchup, visiting Texas outlasted host Alabama 92-88 at Coleman Coliseum on Tuesday night, handing the Crimson Tide their first home loss of the season.
The contest was a seesaw battle, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a decisive advantage. At halftime, the score was tied at 46-46, setting the stage for an exciting second half.
Alabama's Labaron Philon Jr. led all scorers with 21 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Longhorns' balanced attack. On the other side, Texas's Jordan Pope poured in a game-high 28 points on 6-of-13 three-point shooting.
The turning point came midway through the second half, when Texas's Simeon Wilcher sank a crucial three-pointer to put his team up by 8 points. Alabama responded with a 7-0 run, but Texas answered with a 10-2 surge of its own to seal the win.
Texas's Dailyn Swain and Jordan Pope led their team in scoring, with both putting together impressive performances. For Alabama, Taylor Bol Bowen chipped in with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The advanced statistics painted a similar picture as the box score. Texas shot 53% from field goal range, compared to Alabama's 44%. The Longhorns also outrebounded their opponents 48-38 and forced 7 turnovers per possession. In contrast, Alabama struggled with efficiency, committing 24 fouls and converting just 40.9% of its free throw attempts.
This win marked a significant test for Texas, which now finds itself in the midst of an intense conference schedule. With this victory, the Longhorns have demonstrated their ability to compete against top-tier opponents. For Alabama, however, this defeat serves as a wake-up call, highlighting areas that need improvement if they hope to remain competitive throughout the remainder of the season.
Game Summary
* Texas (AWAY) 92 - Alabama (HOME) 88
* Coleman Coliseum, Home venue for Alabama
* Conference game
* Halftime: away team led 45-46
* Final margin: 4 points
* Largest leads: Alabama 5, Texas 13