Bama Central

Live Blog from No. 15 Alabama Basketball at Furman in Preseason Exhibition

Score updates and analysis from Timmons Arena as the Crimson Tide takes on the Paladins in a preseason matchup.
Theodore Fernandez|
Timmons Arena
Timmons Arena | Bama on SI

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Alabama Crimson Tide

Greenville, SC. — No. 15 Alabama men's basketball is set to face Furman on Sunday afternoon at Timmons Arena in its final preseason tune-up before next week's opener against North Dakota.

Alabama is coming off a 109-105 win over Florida State last week in Birmingham. The Crimson Tide was led by a 28-point outburst from All-SEC Preseason selection Labaron Philon. Aden Holloway added 20 while transfers Taylor Bol Bowen and Keitenn Bristow impressed in their Alabama debuts.

Furman is playing its first game in the newly renovated Timmons Arena today. The Paladins are led by eighth-year head coach Bob Richey. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. CT. The game is airing on ESPN+.

FOLLOW ALONG FOR LIVE UPDATES AND ANALYSIS BEFORE AND DURING THE GAME. REFRESH YOUR BROWSER AS THE MOST RECENT EVENTS WILL APPEAR AT THE TOP.

Final: Alabama 96, Furman 71

Final Box Score
Final Box Score | Bama on SI

Second Half:

We're at the final TV timeout of this one. Alabama leads 88-64. Wrightsell, Sherrell, and Philon have combined for 26 of Alabama's 40 second half points.

Alabama leads 79-64 with six minutes to play. The Crimson Tide continues to draw contact, earning trips to the line and making Furman pay.

Aiden Sherrell had been quiet today with just two points, but just scored in the post on consecutive positions. He's got six points to go along with six boards and a block.

Furman is not going away easily. Despite shooting just 6-17 from the field in the half, the Paladins are down just 14 with 11:30 to play. Alabama has struggled with turnovers and allowing second chance opportunities in this second half.

The call does stand, and Alabama is charged a timeout.

Rough sequence for Alabama. Amari Allen commits a charge, and the Paladins get an open three on the other end. Holloway proceeds to turn it over, and, for the time being, Furman gets transition points due to a goaltend on Alabama. Oats has challenged the call. It's 61-48 Alabama with 13:38 to go if the call stands.

Furman is shooting 3-12 from the field and 0-5 from three over the first six minutes of the second half. Alabama now leads by 18 as the defense has really begun to dominate.

Davion Hannah has impressed today. He just had a very physical drive to the basket for a tough two points. The freshman has five points, five rebounds, and an incredible block today. Alabama leads 57-42 at the under-16 break.

Halftime: Alabama 48, Furman 36

The legendary Red Panda is performing right now.

First Half:

Furman is doing a very solid job of hanging around in this game. Routinely hitting tough shots. Asa Thomas just drained a three to bring the Paladins within single digits. It's 44-36 Alabama with 90 seconds until halftime.

Alabama is struggling from the charity stripe, shooting just 1-5 thus far.

Holloway is dominating this game. He's leading all scorers with 16 points. The junior is now 4-4 from beyond the arc.

Noah Williamson drives to the hoop for his first basket in a Crimson Tide uniform. Alabama has its largest lead of the day, 33-22 with 6:15 to play in the half.

Alabama's defense has done a very good job of settling in after the slow start. 26-11 run for the Tide. The Paladins are no longer getting easy looks.

Alabama has pulled ahead to take a 28-20 lead with 8:58 to play in the half following consecutive buckets from Labaron Philon, who now has seven points.

Furman's got some talented ball handlers. Holloway and Taylor Bol Bowen have both been crossed up and sent to the ground in this first half. Some lowlight reel moments for Alabama.

Holloway is on a tear right now. The junior has 10 points on 4-6 shooting. Just had a physical drive to the basket for a score and a foul. He missed the free throw, but fought for the loose rebound, allowing Alabama to get it back and score.

Aden Holloway drains a three to give Alabama its first lead at 19-18. Furman junior forward Davis Molnar hurt his knee and had to be assisted off the court.

Furman is on fire to start this one. The Paladins hit three three-pointers to jump out to a 9-0 lead. Alabama has settled in, and it's 13-7 at the under-16 timeout. Incredible ball movement from Richey's squad. Unselfish play has led to open shots, and the Crimson Tide has just been a step behind defensively.

Pregame:

  • Alabama will be wearing its standard Crimson road jersey today. Furman will wear white.

Series: Alabama is 2-0 all-time against the Paladins, with both games coming in the Nate Oats era. Furman made trips down to Tuscaloosa in 2019 and 2020, losing the two games by just a combined 11 points. Notably, in 2020, the Paladins led 47-37 at halftime behind a massive game from future Alabama starter Noah Gurley.

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Theodore Fernandez
THEODORE FERNANDEZ

Theodore Fernandez is an intern with Alabama Crimson Tide On SI/BamaCentral and combined with his time with The Crimson White and WVUA 23 News has covered every Alabama sport across He also works as the play-by-play broadcaster for Alabama’s ACHA hockey team and has interned for Fox Sports.

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