No. 9 Alabama survives scare from Rutgers, advances to Players Era championship with 95-90 win
No. 9 Alabama survives scare from Rutgers, advances to Players Era championship with 95-90 win
Alabama forward Mouhamed Dioubate (10) looks to pass the ball against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Rutgers guard Dylan Harper (2) shoots against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Rutgers guard Ace Bailey (4) dunks against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Alabama Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Alabama center Clifford Omoruyi (11) reacts after a 3-point basket against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Alabama guard Aden Holloway (2) shoots against Alabama forward Grant Nelson (4) and Alabama guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Alabama forward Mouhamed Dioubate (10) looks to pass the ball against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Alabama forward Mouhamed Dioubate (10) looks to pass the ball against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Rutgers guard Dylan Harper (2) shoots against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Rutgers guard Dylan Harper (2) shoots against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Rutgers guard Ace Bailey (4) dunks against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Alabama Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Rutgers guard Ace Bailey (4) dunks against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Alabama Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Alabama center Clifford Omoruyi (11) reacts after a 3-point basket against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Alabama center Clifford Omoruyi (11) reacts after a 3-point basket against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Alabama guard Aden Holloway (2) shoots against Alabama forward Grant Nelson (4) and Alabama guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Alabama guard Aden Holloway (2) shoots against Alabama forward Grant Nelson (4) and Alabama guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Mark Sears scored 24 points and No. 9 Alabama defeated Rutgers 95-90 on Wednesday night in the Players Era Festival at MGM Grand Garden.
Rutgers pulled within two with 1:28 left, but five free throws down the stretch sealed the win for the Crimson Tide (6-1).
Grant Nelson had 17 points and nine rebounds for Alabama, while Mouhamed Dioubate, Jarin Stevenson and Derrion Reid scored 10 points apiece.
Dylan Harper led Rutgers (5-2) with a career-high 37 points. Ace Bailey finished with 22 points and Jeremiah Williams chipped in with 10 points for the Scarlet Knights.
Takeaways
Rutgers: Harper, son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr., continued an impressive start to his collegiate career with his seventh straight double-figure performance. The freshman point guard from New Jersey is averaging 24.5 points per game thus far.
Alabama: After squandering a six-point lead midway through the first half and falling behind by five, the Crimson Tide got a boost from their bench, as their reserves outscored Rutgers’ 15-5 in the first half. Alabama’s bench finished with a 38-6 edge.
Key moment
Moments after Rutgers’ Jordan Derkack’s failed dunk attempt, Sears chose not to drive the lane during the ensuing fast break and instead drained a 3-pointer to give Alabama a 56-53 lead early in the second half. The Tide led from that point forward.
Key stat
2 - Rutgers, which came into the game hitting 35.2% from 3-point range, made just two of its 13 attempts from long-range, a paltry 15.3%.
Up next
Alabama will play Oregon in the championship game on Saturday, and Rutgers will face No. 20 Texas A&M.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball- poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball