College Basketball: Alabama Dominates Sam Houston State in Season Opener

London Jemison and Drew Fielder led No. 20 Alabama to a 96-74 victory over Sam Houston State on Tuesday night. The game served as the season opener for both teams in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Jemison and Fielder finished with 15 points each, providing the offensive spark for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama played without Aden Holloway, who is serving a five-game suspension. Holloway was arrested on drug charges in March, though those charges were later dismissed. In his absence, freshman Tarris Bouie scored 13 points in his college debut. Amari Allen added 12 points for the Crimson Tide.

The game featured a defensive battle that swung in Alabama's favor. The Crimson Tide missed their first seven 3-point attempts but relied on pressure to generate offense. They finished with 17 steals and 10 blocks while forcing 23 turnovers. Jemison made all four of his first-half shots, including two 3-pointers, helping Alabama build a 40-29 lead by halftime.

Sam Houston State kept the contest competitive early. Jacobe Coleman scored 16 points for the Bearkats. Justin Begg contributed 13 points, and Zion Pipkin added 11 while making three of four 3-point attempts. However, Alabama opened the second half on a 9-2 run. That stretch extended the lead to 30 points on a Fielder layup with 12:40 remaining.

Bouie scored six points during that key second-half sequence, including a 3-point play and a contested 3-pointer. Begg scored all 13 of his points after halftime, but the Bearkats could not close the gap. Freshman Jaxon Richardson, son of former NBA player Jason Richardson, added windmill dunks in both halves to energize the home crowd. Alabama will host Arkansas State on Friday, while Sam Houston State hosts Howard Payne on Saturday.