The freshmen were out in full force as Alabama basketball rolled in its first game of the 2024-2025 regular season, with a 110-54 victory over UNC-Asheville.

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In a game where Alabama had two preferred starters, Grant Nelson and Latrell Wrightsell Jr., on a minutes restriction due to injuries, Alabama needed its newcomers to step up and make plays. The freshman announced their arrival quickly, with big performances by Labaron Philon and Clifford Omoruyi, and productive minutes from Derrion Reid and Aden Holloway.

It was not a perfect game by any stretch of the imagination, Alabama shot just nine threes in the first half, making three of them, and the freshmen made their fair share of mistakes. Reid had a couple of bad passes when inbounding, and Philon led the Crimson Tide in turnovers with four turnovers. However, UNC-Asheville was not the opponent to take advantage of the Crimson Tide's early-season mistakes.

Despite sloppy play early and a lack of threes attempted, Alabama still took a 21-point lead into halftime.

The Crimson Tide came out with its hair on fire in the second half and scored over 100 points with 4:52 still left in the contest.

Oats heavily emphasized Alabama's defensive performance in the second half of the second charity exhibition game against Memphis, and the teaching took hold in Alabama's first game of the season. The Crimson Tide's defense allowed just 0.75 points per possession against UNC-Asheville.

Stat Leaders

Points - Mark Sears - 20
Rebounds - Aiden Sherrell - 9
Assists - Labaron Philon - 9
Steals - Labaron Philon - 3

Players In Double Figures

Mark Sears - 20 points
Clifford Omoruyi - 16 points
Aden Holloway - 11 points
Mouhamed Dioubate - 11 points
Latrell Wrightsell Jr. - 13 points
Jarin Stevenson - 10 points
Labaron Philon - 10 points

Alabama advances to 1-0 to begin its season. The Crimson Tide will return to action inside Coleman Coliseum on Friday, November 8, when Alabama welcomes a familiar face - Bryan Hodgson and the Arkansas State Redwolves to Tuscaloosa. That game will tip off at 7:00 p.m. CT on ESPN+ or the free Tide 100.9 App.

Wyatt Fulton is the TIde 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.