No. 20 Alabama Crushes Sam Houston State 96-74 in Season Opener

No. 20 Alabama defeated Sam Houston State 96-74 on Tuesday night to open the college basketball season for both programs. The Crimson Tide, ranked 20th, controlled the game through aggressive defense rather than perimeter shooting, finishing with 17 steals and 10 blocks. They forced 23 turnovers from the Bearkats while missing their first seven attempts from behind the three-point arc.

Aden Holloway missed the opener while serving a five-game suspension. The guard was arrested in March on drug charges that were subsequently dismissed. Despite the absence, freshman Tarris Bouie contributed 13 points in his collegiate debut. London Jemison and Drew Fielder each recorded 15 points for Alabama, while Amari Allen added 12.

The game remained competitive through the first half, with Jemison making all four of his shots. Alabama led 40-29 at the break after Jemison hit two three-pointers. Sam Houston State's Jacobe Coleman scored 16 points for the night, and Justin Begg added 13. Zion Pipkin contributed 11 points and made three of four three-point attempts for the visitors.

Alabama extended its lead early in the second half. A 9-2 run pushed the margin to 30 points with 12:40 remaining, capped by a layup from Fielder. Bouie scored six points during that stretch, including a three-point play and a contested three-pointer late in the shot clock. Begg scored all 13 of his points in the second half, but the Bearkats could not close the gap.

Freshman Jaxon Richardson, the son of former NBA player Jason Richardson, provided a highlight as he completed a windmill dunk in the first half. He added another slam near the end of the second half. The result leaves Sam Houston State with a 0-1 record.

Sam Houston State will host Howard Payne on Saturday. Alabama will host Arkansas State on Friday.