Mark Sears scored 19 points and No. 2 Alabama held off a strong upset bid by Arkansas State to record an 88-79 nonconference victory on Friday night in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Clifford Omoruyi had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Crimson Tide (2-0). Labaron Philon and Grant Nelson also had 12 points and Derrion Reid had 10 for Alabama.
Kobe Julien scored 20 points and Taryn Todd added 18 points and three steals for the Red Wolves (1-1). Rashaud Marshall had 11 points and eight rebounds for Arkansas State.
The Red Wolves trailed by as many as 16 points before rallying to tie the score with just over seven minutes left.
Arkansas State second-year coach Bryan Hodgson served as an assistant under the Crimson Tide’s Nate Oats for eight seasons — four at Buffalo, four at Alabama — before landing the job in Jonesboro.
The Crimson Tide led by three points at halftime and increased the advantage to 67-57 with 10:11 remaining in the game.
Arkansas State responded with an 11-1 burst that was capped by Joseph Pinion, who scored on a driving hoop to knot the score at 68 with 7:08 remaining.
Mouhamed Dioubate and Nelson made consecutive baskets to start an 11-2 burst. Marshall converted a layup for Arkansas State before Sears made 3 of 4 free throws and Reid and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. made consecutive layups to give Alabama a 79-70 lead with 3:23 remaining.
Philon’s jumper made it 83-72 with 1:55 to play as the Crimson Tide wrapped up the win.
Sears had 12 first-half points as Alabama led 43-40 at the break. Julien scored 11 in the half for the Red Wolves.
The Crimson Tide appeared to be cruising to a second consecutive lopsided win when Sears made two free throws to give Alabama a 28-14 lead with 9:10 remaining in the first half.
Arkansas State moved within nine on a 3-pointer by Julien with 6:49 left, but the Crimson Tide answered with seven straight to lead 38-22 with 6:01 remaining.
The Red Wolves dominated the rest of the half, scoring eight consecutive points to start an 18-5 burst. Todd’s layup with six seconds remaining brought Arkansas State within three at the break.
–Field Level Media
