Crimson Tide Comeback Not Enough to Beat Boilermakers

West Lafayette, IN. - The Alabama Crimson Tide traveled to West Lafayette, Indiana for its first road trip of the season, against the Purdue Boilermakers. Both programs hope to return to the Final Four, this season in San Antonio, Texas, after appearing in Glendale, Arizona last season for the Final Four. Both Alabama and Purdue fell to the eventual national champions, the UConn Huskies, in Glendale in April.

Get our free mobile app

it is the first of several major tests for Alabama in the non-conference schedule this season, with Purdue being ranked a top-12 team according to Kenpom, and No. 13 according to the Associated Press.

Alabama's game started badly, with the Crimson Tide making just one of nine three-point shots in the first half. Purdue was 4-for-10 from three-point range in the first half.

Alabama needed to play tough, physical basketball if the Crimson Tide hoped to escape Mackey Arena 4-0 in the young season.

The Crimson Tide played physically...just a little too much. Foul trouble plagued Alabama's stars in this game, with Labaron Philon playing much of the contest with three and Omoruyi picking up his fourth with over four minutes left in the game.

Alabama's offense was unable to get going in this contest, with the Crimson Tide only shooting 33% from three-point range and 44.8% from the floor.

Trey Kaufman-Renn was the giant killer for Purdue against Alabama, finishing the contest with

Sometimes it is just not the night for Alabama, and Friday night appeared to be the case. Alabama outplayed Purdue in rebound (36-34), second-chance points (19-16), bench points (33-26), and points in the paint (38-34).

The biggest difference on the night?

Alabama shot 9-29 (31%) from three, while Purdue was 9-16 (56%). Purdue made more free throws (16) than Alabama attempted (15)

This is not a case of "live by there three, die by the three" but the Crimson Tide had a lid on the basket when shooting from range.

Alabama falls to Purdue in Mackey Arena, 87-78.

Stat Leaders

Points - Labaron Philon - 18
Rebounds - Grant Nelson - 10
Assists - Mark Sears - 5

Bama Players with Double Digit Points

Labaron Philon - 18
Mark Sears - 15
Grant Nelson - 12
Latrel lWrightsell Jr. - 11

Alabama will return to the South on Wednesday, November 20 to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in the CM Newton Classic.

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_.