Amari Allen recorded the fifth triple-double in Alabama Crimson Tide history as the No. 20 ranked team overcame a slow start to beat Arkansas State 101-86 at Coleman Coliseum on Friday night. The sophomore guard finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, joining a select group that includes Roy Rogers, Kira Lewis, and Aaron Estrada.
Alabama improved to 2-0 on the season despite shooting just 36 percent overall and 29 percent from three-point range. The Crimson Tide struggled early, trailing 4-1 with 17:35 left in the first half, but a scoring surge led by Allen and London Jemison pushed them ahead by halftime, 51-34. Allen’s scoring included two three-pointers and four free throws, one of his threes coming from around 35 feet out. Jemison contributed multiple threes, while Drew Fielder added 11 points in the half, hitting four shots from beyond the arc.
Kentucky transfer Brandon Garrison added a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, including 6 offensive boards. Coach Nate Oats started Allen, Garrison, Jemison, Fielder, and Qayden Samuels, while facing his former assistant Ryan Pannone, now head coach of Arkansas State.
Arkansas State’s Layne Taylor was perfect from three in the first half, hitting all four attempts and finishing with 12 points by the break. The Red Wolves shot 41 percent overall but struggled to control the boards, grabbing only 20 rebounds in the first half with just five on the offensive glass.
After halftime, Alabama maintained control, extending their lead quickly. Jemison opened the second half with a three-pointer and a coast-to-coast drive, pushing the score to 61-41 within the first three minutes. The Red Wolves fought back to cut the deficit to 13 points, but Allen’s assist to Garrison not only completed his triple-double but also gave Garrison his double-double on the same play.
Alabama shot better in the second half, hitting 45 percent of their field goals, but continued to struggle from three-point range with just 29 percent accuracy. Free throws were more reliable, with the Tide making 20 of 26 attempts in the second half and finishing 32 of 43 overall for 74 percent.
Qayden Samuels led all scorers with 17 points despite going 3-13 from the field. Fielder matched Allen’s 16 points and added five rebounds and three assists. Brandon Garrison earned praise for his effort, collecting 14 points, 10 rebounds, one steal, and one assist. Keiteen Bristow contributed seven points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, continuing his role cleaning up around the basket.
Arkansas State ended shooting 42 percent overall and 39 percent from three but made just 44 percent of their free throws. Taylor finished with 20 points, five rebounds, and six assists. Chaz Watson scored 15 points with four boards, while Amadou Doumbia recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Pyke came off the bench to add 12 points and five rebounds.
Coach Oats expressed frustration after the game, particularly about Alabama’s second-half rebounding. He noted the Tide grabbed only five offensive boards after the break. Oats also criticized the team’s defense on the perimeter, saying, “For the second game in the row, we let a mid-major team make too many three pointers. That’s how you get upset in the NCAA Tournament, let teams like that make 15 three pointers, we have to run them off the line.”
The game ended with Arkansas State hitting a late flurry of threes to narrow the final margin, but Alabama maintained enough control to secure their second win of the young season. Allen's triple-double remains a rare feat in Alabama’s basketball history and a bright spot amid the team's shooting struggles. However, his sprained ankle with just over two minutes remaining raised concerns about his availability for upcoming games.
According to Yahoo Sports.
