STARKVILLE, Miss. — Labaron Philon Jr. scored a career-high 32 points, Aiden Sherrell also set a career-best with 22 points and No. 18 Alabama used a big run spanning halftime to beat Mississippi State 97-82 on Tuesday night.
Alabama trailed by 14 points with eight minutes left in the first half before closing on a 21-5 run to take a 36-34 lead at halftime. Philon scored 12 points in the first half, with nine coming in the final five minutes. Mississippi State went 2 of 13 from the field in the closing minutes.
Alabama also started the second half by scoring 13 of the opening 15 points to extend its lead to 49-36. Sherrell scored eight points during the run and Philon gave Alabama a 14-point lead with 16 minutes remaining.
The Crimson Tide led by double figures for the final 18 minutes and scored 61 second-half points.
Mississippi State forward Brandon Walker was ejected with 15 minutes left in the second half after a review of a hard foul on Amari Allen’s drive to the basket. Allen made both free throws and Jalil Bethea converted a layup for a four-point possession and a 57-42 lead.
Aden Holloway added 15 points and Allen finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds for Alabama (12-5, 2-2 Southeastern Conference). Starters Latrell Wrightsell (right leg) and Taylor Bol Bowen (left hand) did not play.
Josh Hubbard scored 23 points and Jayden Epps added 13 for Mississippi State (10-7, 2-2).
Alabama guard Labaron Philon, center, is pressured by Mississippi State guards Jayden Epps, left, and Shawn Jones Jr. (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Starkville, Miss. Credit: AP/Rogelio V. Solis
Alabama has won the last nine games in the series with Mississippi State dating to 2021-22 season.
Up next
Alabama: At Oklahoma on Saturday.
Mississippi State: Stays home to play Mississippi on Saturday.
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