Aden Holloway scored a career-high 26 points and handed out seven assists as No. 14 Alabama defeated Yale 102-78 on Monday night. Bama led by 24 pts 55 to 31 at half, and then cruised to 24 pt win as Bama built a 35 pt lead at one point and maintained its lead through out the 2nd half. Amari Allen, Jalil Bethea and Latrell Wrightsell added 15 points apiece for the Crimson Tide (10-3). Bama played without star guard Labaron Philon Jr. for the first time this season. Alabama coach Nate Oats said Philon injured his leg in the previous game Dec. 21 against Kennesaw State and sat out as a precaution, but it should not be a long-term concern. Alabama had one of its best offensive games of the season. The Crimson Tide scored a season-high 55 points and made 11 shots from 3-point range in the first half, shooting 50% from the floor overall. Alabama entered as the fourth-best 3-point scoring team in the nation averaging 12.8 threes per game and finished with a season-best 22 from behind the arc. Houston Mallete had 12 points for the Tide, and Allen grabbed nine rebounds. Holloway drained a deep 3-pointer with 38 seconds left to put Alabama above 100 points. He converted the free throw for a four-point play, giving him his career high. Up next Alabama hosts Kentucky in its SEC opener on Saturday, January 3rd in Tuscaloosa. The Stats Aden Holloway had 27 pts, 7 assts, and no Turnovers leading Bama Jalil Bethea has 15 pts, 3 rebs, 3 assists, and no turnovers Amari Allen had 15 pts, 9 rebs, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 blocks. Latrell Wrightsell has 15 pts, 3 rebs, 3 assists, and no turnovers And Houston Mallette had 12 pts, 3 rebs, 3 assists, and no turnovers as Bama had 5 players score in double figures Aiden Sherrell led Bama with 9 pts, 6 rebs, and 1 block Keitenn Bristow and TBB combined for 7 pts, 15 rebs, 2 assists, and 1 steal, and 2 blocks as they split time at the four. Highlights Aden Holloway scoring 26 pts with 7 assists while shooting 5-10 from 3. Bethea stepping up scoring 15 pts in 20 mins with Philon out. Bama having 5 players score in double-figures. Very balanced scoring from five players. Bama had 5 TO’s to 8 Tos for Yale Bama made 22 threes to 9 for Yale shooting 41% from 3. Bama made 75% of their Free Throws Bama outrebounded Yale 46 to 38 Bama only had 5 TO’s to 8 for Yale Issues Yale scored 32 pts of paint to 20 for Bama Bristow and TBB combine for 7 pts. Need more from them with each of them. Got no production from Noah Williamson in just 4 mins of play Sherrell struggled to score the ball. Starters tonight were TTB, Sherrell, Holloway, Allen, and Mallette Who is the best starting five? Who is the best closing five? Who is the best five? Best four are Philon, Holloway, Bethea, and Sherrell Philon is elite and one of the best guards in the SEC and in the nation and potential first team All-American. Philon is bringing it every game and is now a consistent 20 pt per game scorer no matter the competition. Philon scores at all three levels and makes his free throws. He has also cut down on his turnovers. When Holloway plays like he did against So Florida, he is elite and forms a great tandem with Philon. Holloway just does not play this well every game. His ceiling is really high, but his floor is much lower than Philon’s as he can be a non-factor in some games. The other two best players are Bethea and Sherrell Mallette, Wrightsell, TBB, Allen, and Jemison all are solid players and contributors. Hannah seems out of control on offense and needs to work on his offense skills. He cannot finish at the rim or in the midrange. His three-point shot not reliable. He has work to do, but he is just a freshman. No team will go undefeated, but these three loses show that Bama has a ceiling that will be hard to break through. Alabama is now 10-3 on the season. Next up for Bama is a home game against Kentucky on Saturday, Jan 3 at 1 pm.