The 8th ranked Crimson Tide opened SEC play with a road win at 21st ranked Mississippi State on Wednesday night. Bama gutted out a 78-67 victory in a tough, knockdown-dragout battle. Bama improved to 11-2 overall and 1-0 in conference, State is now 11-2 and 0-1.
Coach Nate Oats continued with the starting lineup of Brandon Miller, Mark Sears, Charles Bediako, Noah Clowney, and Jaden Bradley. Sears opened the scoring with an early basket, followed by a Bediako hoop and a Clowney free throw. The Tide led 5-2 at the 16:16 mark. With 12:42 left Bama was behind 7-5 as the Bulldogs were allowed to play extremely physical by Doug Shows and crew without repercussions.