No. 4 Alabama Dominates Vanderbilt 103-87 Behind Bench Stars

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 4 Alabama bounced back from a sluggish offensive performance with a dominant 103-87 victory over Vanderbilt on Tuesday night at Coleman Coliseum. Bench players Aden Holloway and Mouhamed Dioubate each scored a game-high 22 points, leading the Crimson Tide to their 16th win of the season.

Holloway, a sophomore guard, was nearly flawless in the first half, making all six of his shot attempts, including two 3-pointers. He finished the game with 22 points, four rebounds, and one block, showcasing his versatility on both ends of the court. “Aden was phenomenal tonight,” said Alabama head coach Nate Oats. “He brought energy and efficiency when we needed it most.”

Dioubate, a sophomore forward, matched Holloway’s scoring output while adding 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. He shot 7-for-8 from the field and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, embodying the gritty, blue-collar style that has become his trademark. “Mouhamed was relentless,” Oats added. “He gave us a huge lift, especially when our starters struggled.”

Alabama (16-3, 5-1 SEC) built a commanding 48-31 lead by halftime, thanks to a strong defensive effort and efficient shooting. However, Vanderbilt (15-4, 3-3 SEC) fought back in the second half, hitting 10 of their 11 3-pointers to keep the game within reach. The Commodores were led by 21 points from guard Tyrin Lawrence and 19 from forward Ven-Allen Lubin.

Despite Vanderbilt’s second-half surge, Alabama’s offense proved too much to handle. Mark Sears contributed 21 points and seven assists, while the team as a whole made 23 of 34 free-throw attempts. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, struggled from the line, making just 18 of their 24 attempts.

The Crimson Tide will look to build on this momentum when they host LSU on Saturday. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, faces a tough test against No. 9 Kentucky.