Amber Aniston • January 26, 2026

Tennessee Rallies Past No. 17 Alabama 79–73 in Physical Road Battle at Coleman Coliseum

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Tennessee continued its recent dominance in the rivalry with Alabama on Saturday night, erasing a halftime deficit and pulling away late for a 79–73 victory over the No. 17 Crimson Tide at Coleman Coliseum. The Volunteers leaned on second-half execution, rebounding control, and a star-making performance from freshman Nate Ament to secure a critical SEC road win and hand Alabama its second consecutive home loss. 


The win lifted Tennessee to 13–6 overall and 3–3 in conference play, while Alabama dropped to 13–6 (3–3 SEC) after another frustrating second-half collapse. Despite leading at the break and receiving strong individual performances, the Crimson Tide could not sustain defensive intensity or offensive flow once Tennessee adjusted. 


Alabama Controls Early but Fails to Capitalize 


Alabama set the tone in the opening half with energy and physicality, building an early double-digit lead behind strong offensive rebounding and efficient shooting. The Crimson Tide surged ahead 22–12 midway through the half, using second-chance points and early contributions from Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Labaron Philon Jr. to keep Tennessee on its heels. 


Wrightsell, making his return to the lineup, scored Alabama’s first six points and finished the half with 11, providing a steady presence on the perimeter. Charles Bediako, playing in his first collegiate game since 2023, added key interior scoring and helped Alabama dominate the glass early. 


Tennessee weathered the early storm with defensive persistence, slowly trimming the deficit behind improved perimeter shooting and transition defense. A late push allowed the Volunteers to keep the margin manageable, and Alabama entered halftime with a 39–36 lead that felt far more fragile than commanding. 


Volunteers Flip Momentum After the Break 


Any sense of control Alabama held disappeared quickly in the second half. Tennessee opened the period with a burst of energy, outscoring Alabama 12–5 in the opening minutes and reclaiming the lead before the under-16 media timeout. Defensive pressure forced Alabama into difficult possessions, while Tennessee capitalized by pushing the pace and attacking downhill. 


Ament took over during this stretch. The freshman forward showcased poise well beyond his years, scoring efficiently from all three levels while maintaining ball security. His shot-making forced Alabama to adjust coverage, opening space for Ja’Kobi Gillespie to attack gaps and create offense. 


Tennessee’s physicality also began to show on the glass. After Alabama dominated early rebounding, the Volunteers flipped the script in the second half, controlling defensive boards and limiting Alabama to just three offensive rebounds after intermission. That shift proved decisive as Alabama struggled to generate extra possessions. 


Late-Game Execution Favors Tennessee 


The game tightened inside the final ten minutes, with both teams trading baskets and the lead changing hands multiple times. Alabama briefly regained the advantage behind a three-point play from Bediako, but Tennessee responded with composure, scoring in bunches during a decisive six-point run that pushed the Volunteers ahead for good. 


Down the stretch, Tennessee executed with precision while Alabama faltered. The Crimson Tide went scoreless from the field over the final three minutes, unable to create clean looks against Tennessee’s disciplined half-court defense. Even when Tennessee missed shots late, Alabama failed to convert opportunities in transition or at the free-throw line. 


Gillespie and Ament sealed the win at the stripe in the closing seconds, as Tennessee calmly closed out a game that had slipped from Alabama’s grasp despite strong early play. 


Ament Shines on the Road 


Ament delivered the defining performance of the night, scoring a game-high 29 points while adding seven rebounds and three assists. He scored 18 of his points in the second half, repeatedly answering Alabama runs and providing stability when the game tightened. His performance marked one of the most impressive road outings by a freshman in SEC play this season. 


Gillespie added 24 points, combining scoring with steady ball control and late-game composure. Together, the duo accounted for 53 of Tennessee’s 79 points and consistently punished Alabama’s defensive lapses. 


For Alabama, Philon Jr. led the way with 26 points and seven assists, continuing his strong individual season. However, he received little help late as Tennessee’s defense keyed in and limited secondary scoring. Bediako finished with 13 points in his return, while Wrightsell cooled after his early surge. 


What It Means Moving Forward 


The loss highlighted ongoing issues for Alabama, particularly slow second-half starts and defensive consistency against physical opponents. Despite strong home support, the Crimson Tide were unable to match Tennessee’s toughness over the final 20 minutes and now face mounting pressure as SEC play intensifies. 


For Tennessee, the win reinforced its identity as one of the league’s most resilient road teams. The Volunteers have now won five straight against Alabama and demonstrated their ability to close tight games with execution and discipline. 


Final Takeaway 


Tennessee’s 79–73 win over Alabama was defined by second-half adjustments, rebounding dominance, and freshman brilliance. Alabama controlled stretches early but failed to convert momentum into separation, while Tennessee seized control when it mattered most. As the SEC race tightens, the Volunteers leave Tuscaloosa with a confidence-boosting victory, while Alabama searches for answers after another costly home setback. 

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