3 takeaways from Alabama outlasting Rutgers in Players Era Festival bracket

Another night in Vegas, another battle for Alabama men’s basketball.

And most importantly, another win.

The Crimson Tide gritted out yet another victory in the Players Era Festival, defeating Rutgers 95-90 on Wednesday. Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper scored 37 points, but Alabama still found a way to win.

Now, the Crimson Tide (6-1) will play Oregon in the championship on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. CT.

In the first game of the Players Era Festival, Alabama beat Houston in overtime Tuesday.

Here are takeaways from the game between No. 9 Alabama and Rutgers on Wednesday in Las Vegas.

Alabama overcomes turnover problem

For much of the first half, the Crimson Tide was turning the ball over almost every other possession.

With 7:51 left before halftime, Alabama had 10 turnovers on 26 possessions.

The Crimson Tide was finding ways to derail its possessions, and the offense suffered as a result. The Crimson Tide slowed down the turnover machine by the end of the half with 11 at the break. But it was still one of the most glaring stats for an offense that couldn’t take over the game.

The turnovers slowed Alabama from playing at its pace. Alabama had only two fast-break points before halftime. For a team that wants to play fast, that’s not the number the Crimson Tide wants.

Despite the turnovers, and the less-than-good outcome at the free-throw line, Alabama was tied with Rutgers 41-41 at halftime. The Crimson Tide shot 55% (16-for-29) before the break.

Then, just when it seemed Alabama was settling down at turning the ball over, they popped up again late and allowed Rutgers to make it a game in the final minutes. Alabama held an eight point lead late, then a couple turnovers later, and it quickly became a one-possession game.

Alabama finished the game with 20 turnovers, and Rutgers scored 23 points off those giveaways.

Mark Sears cooks out of the break

Sears played 18 minutes before halftime, but he didn’t have a big impact on the stat sheet as a scorer. Two made buckets, two made free throws. A pedestrian six points.

Then, the player who emerged from the locker room in the second half looked the part of a preseason All-American.

In the first five minutes of the second half, Sears scored 13 points. He made three triples and four total shots. His efforts on the offensive end helped the Crimson Tide start to built a lead.

Sears surpassed the 20-point mark again just over halfway into the second frame. But then he picked up his fourth foul shortly after. So he had to sit out a bit, really the only thing that slowed him down much in the second half.

Sears finished the game with 24 points, two rebounds, five assists, two steals and five turnovers.

Dependable Mo Dioubate

Tight game? Battle? Have to grit out every possession?

Just call up Mo Dioubate.

The most blue-collar player on the roster continued his efforts from the first game against Houston. Dioubate fought once again, providing tough, physical minutes in a close game.

He scored, grabbed rebounds, secured steals, blocks, assists, you name it. He did it. That included an important defensive rebound with 22 seconds left when Alabama was clinging onto a two-point lead. Dioubate also didn’t miss a shot, going 4-for-4

Dioubate tallied 10 points, nine rebounds, blocked two shots and grabbed two steals.

His dependability proved vital at all times, but especially in the second half. With Sears, Clifford Omoruyi and others wracking up fouls, Alabama needed someone to step up and battle. Dioubate was once again that player.