No. 17 Alabama Basketball Falls to Ohio State 92-81

On a night where the threes didn't fall, the Crimson Tide take a loss at the hands of the Buckeyes in the Emerald Coast Classic.

In the midst of feast week, Alabama basketball was fed a brutal loss.

On Friday, No. 17 Alabama basketball fell 92-81 to Ohio State at the Emerald Coast Classic — shooting a mere 9-for-30 from beyond the arc.

In a game that struggled for broadcasting priority with the conclusion of the Utah State vs. New Mexico football game on CBS Sports Network, the Crimson Tide couldn’t keep up with the Buckeyes, who shot a blistering 54% from the field and 55% from downtown.

It was a big day for Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton, who posted 29 points on 6-for-12 shooting while dishing out four assists and grabbing three rebounds.

Joining Thornton with a big game in the backcourt was Roddy Gayle Jr., who tallied 23 points of his own while closing the game out with a three-point play with 1:01 remaining and a score of 86-78 — ending Alabama’s chance at a late push.

Both totals were career highs for the duo, respectively.

For the Crimson Tide, it was a rough night on the boards — with the Buckeyes outrebounding Alabama 32-24.

Now standing at 4-1, Alabama will face the loser of Oregon vs. Santa Clara on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network. 

This story will be updated. 

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Second Half:

• Final: Ohio State 92, Alabama 81. 
• Both teams in the double-bonus. Lead has been pushed to 14 for the Buckeyes. Crimson Tide trail 83-71 with 2:49 remaining. 
• Alabama trying to make one last push here. Ohio State leads 76-67 with 5:31 remaining. 
• Ohio State continues their onslaught. We're entering blowout territory. It's 69-56 Buckeyes with 8:46 remaining. Thornton just drilled back-to-back threes. 
• Media timeout. Ohio State leads Alabama 59-50 with 11:58 to go. Three early turnovers for Alabama in the half. 
• Thornton and Gayle Jr. both into double-digits for Ohio State. Buckeyes continue to push their lead. They're up 49-42 with 14:59 to go. 
• Alabama going back and forth with Ohio State now. Sears and Estrada getting theirs offensively so far. The Buckeyes keep responding, however. They lead 45-40 with 16:47 to go. 
• Ohio State pushes their lead to 40-35. Nelson converts both at the line. 18:38 to go in the first half. 

Halftime:

Halftime Stats / StatBroadcast

First Half:

• We've reached halftime in Niceville, Fla. Ohio State leads Alabama 38-33. Crimson Tide shooting just 3-for-12 from 3pt range. They're losing the rebounding battle 17-9.
• Alabama continues to sputter on offense, they're trailing 38-33 with 0:28 to go. Ohio State controlling the pace. 
• At the under 4:00 timeout, we're still tied up at 27-27. Aaron Estrada is up to 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting. Crimson Tide is just 3-for-11 from 3pt range so far. 
• Aaron Estrada with a deep three. All tied up at 27-27 with 4:51 to go. 
• Ohio State is winning in the rebound department 12-5, with six second-chance points.
• With 7:00 remaining, we're all tied up at 22-22. Media timeout on the floor.
• Alabama leads 22-20 with 8:00 remaining in the first half. Aaron Estrada leads the way with 7 points on 3-for-3 shooting.
• Alabama leads 17-13 at the 11:55 mark in the first half. Latrell Wrightsell Jr. is on a quick 6-0 of his own. 
• At the under-16 timeout, Alabama trails Ohio State 11-8. Alabama is 0-4 from deep, while the Buckeyes are 3-6.
• Ohio State leads Alabama 11-8 with 14:12 left in the first half. New Mexico State vs. Utah State continues on CBS Sports Network. 

Pregame:

• Starting five for Alabama: Mark Sears, Rylan Griffen, Aaron Estrada, Grant Nelson, Nick Pringle.

• Tipoff time has been moved from 6:00 CT to 6:15 CT. 

How to Watch: Alabama vs. Ohio State

Who: Ohio State (2-1) at No. 17 Alabama (4-0)

When: 6 p.m. CT, Friday, Nov. 24

Where: Raider Arena, Destin, Fla.

TV: CBS Sports Network

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network. Play-By-Play Chris Stewart. Analyst Bryan Passink. Host: Roger Hoover.

Series: Tied 3-3

Last meeting: Nov. 29, 2002: Alabama defeated Ohio State 54-48 in the Hall of Fame Tipoff Classic in Springfield, Mass. The Crimson Tide's Antoine Pettway, Kenny Walker and Mo Williams all scored 11 each, while Erwin Dudley was held to just eight points.

Last time out, Alabama: Behind a 24-point performance from Mark Sears, the Crimson Tide moved to 4-0 on the season with a 98-67 victory over Mercer.

Last time out, Ohio State: The Buckeyes trounced Western Michigan 73-56 as five Ohio State players scored in double-digits. 

See More: 

Blue Collar Unplugged Podcast: Alabama Basketball Week 2 Recap, Feast Week Preview