Bates Shines, Missouri Basketball falls to Alabama 93-75

A 19-point effort from Tamar Bates wasn't enough as the Tigers fall to 0-4 in SEC play.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — On a chilly night outside Coleman Coliseum, it was the chipiness inside that had fans buzzing.

On Tuesday, Missouri Basketball fell to Alabama 93-75, failing to secure their first conference victory of the season and falling to 8-9 (0-4) on the season.

In the first half, the Tigers struggled to keep up with the lengthy Crimson Tide (12-5, 4-0) on the glass, getting out-rebounded 17-14, including a 6-1 deficit on the offensive end, leading to seven second-chance points over the first 20 minutes of action for Alabama.

With 7:34 remaining in the first half, Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats was nearly assessed a technical foul for shoving Tiger reserve forward Aidan Shaw.

Nate Oats standing on business

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— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 17, 2024

At the break, Missouri managed to climb out of a 33-22 hole, trailing by only two at the half — 36-34.

While the Tigers showed some fight early, it wasn’t enough, as Alabama managed to pull away late, outscoring Dennis Gate’s squad 57-41 to conclude the game, thanks in-part to a blistering 21-point point effort from sophomore guard Rylan Griffen. 

Despite the loss, it was another productive night for junior forward Tamar Bates, who posted 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting, grabbing a rebound and nabbing two steals.

Bates, a 6-foot-5 transfer from Indiana, is averaging 10.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists through 18 games.

"Well Tamar Bates has been shooting the ball at a high level throughout the season," Gates said. "He's shooting 50% from two, 50% from three, 90% from the free throw line. And his stats are showing. His teammates are finding him in the right spots. He's not forcing anything other than that last shot that he missed that I thought was an opportunity for him to get to that line. But he wasn't able to draw the foul. You got to be a little bit more strong in there." 

Joining Bates with a key performance was senior guard Nick Honor, who tallied 18 points on 5-for-11 shooting, draining 4-for-9 shots from beyond the arc.

"I thought he had a level of focus to him," Gates said. "But you know, being a coach's son, I think Nick is more critical on himself. He's worried about those two free throws he missed and ultimately trying to come out with a win, which we did not So Nick [...] Nick and Tamar play great, tremendous basketball."

As the Tigers continue to struggle, they’ll return home to Columbia as a matchup with Todd Golden’s Florida Gators awaits them on Saturday.

How It Happened:

StatBroadcast

Second Half:

• Final: Alabama 93, Missouri 75.
• 1:58: Third personal foul for Missouri's Trent Pierce. Carralero Martin has already fouled out for the Tigers.
• 3:18: Alabama's Rylan Griffen has caught fire from deep. It's now 80-67, Crimson Tide. Missouri will need to put some things together down the stretch to fight back into this one.
• 5:22: Dual technicals on Alabama's Latrell Wrightsell and Missouri's Noah Carter.
• 6:19: Timeout, Tigers. Full timeout. No more Missouri timeouts available. The Crimson Tide has started draining attempts from beyond the arc and stretched its lead to 68-58.
• 7:12: Missouri's Aidan Shaw makes the most of a trip to the line, hitting both from the stripe.
• 7:58: Media timeout. Jump ball following some physical defensive play. 59-55, Alabama.
• 9:07: Alabama's Rylan Griffen sinks two free throws after Missouri misses on a fast break chance. 59-53, Crimson Tide.
• 10:03: Bates picks up a basket on a goaltend, bringing the Tigers back within four.
• 11:37: Things are getting chippy. Media timeout with Missouri down 55-49. Bates just picked up the Tigers' sixth team foul of the half.
• 12:48: Timeout Missouri with the Crimson Tide on a 5-0 run. Nelson scored immediately after getting called for the foul, followed by a Mark Sears triple. 53-47, Alabama.
• 13:50: Technical foul on Alabama's Grant Nelson. Missouri sinks the free throws to make it 48-47.
• 15:37: The fourth team foul of the half for Mizzou comes right after the third. Three personals for Butler.
• 15:47: First media timeout of the second half. Alabama leads 46-44. The Tigers' three-point baskets have kept them within striking distance of one of the best offenses in the land, but fouls have begun to add up. Missouri just committed its third of the half.
• 17:58: Alabama's Grant Nelson commits the first foul of the half, sending Bates to the line, where he hits both to make the score 40-38, Crimson Tide.
• The first points of the half stretch the Alabama lead to 38-34.
• The second half gets underway at 7:03 p.m. CT.

Halftime: 

Missouri Stats courtesy of statbroadcast.com

First Half:

• 0:00: No field goals over the final 4:15 for Alabama. Tigers close on a 12-3 run. Alabama 36, Missouri 34. 
• 1:54: Mark Sears misses the backend of a one-and-one. Nick Honor drills a three. Tigers are slowly, but surely, climbing back. Alabama 34, Missouri 30. 
• 3:46: Three-pointer from Carralero stops the bleeding. Alabama 33, Missouri 25. 
• 4:09, media timeout: Mark Sears is off to the locker room. Crucial potential injury.
• 4:09, media timeout: Alabama is hurting the Tigers in transition. They're having a hard time keeping up with the Crimson Tide's athleticism. 
• 4:15: Crafty finish by Aaron Estrada. Assisted by two offensive rebounds in a row from Nick Pringle, who is controlling the glass here early for the Crimson Tide. Alabama 33, Missouri 22. 
• 5:56: Missouri turns it back over to Alabama.
• 6:18: The two teams trade triples. Alabama gets the better of that exchange and now leads by nine. 
• 6:55: Alabama sends up a three-point attempt and misses everything. Ball back to Missouri.

• 7:25: Alabama's Rylan Griffen picks up a foul straight out of the timeout. 

• 8:08: Even though it's a cold day with less than ideal road conditions, the Alabama crowd is bustling, as new Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer was introduced. 
• 8:47: Alabama extends their lead on a pair of free throws from Nick Pringle. Tigers are in foul trouble, they're up to five total early in this game. Alabama 22, Missouri 16. 
• 11:43, Media Timeout: Carralero drills a three right before the break. Alabama 16, Missouri 13.
• 12:30: Gates going with a new lineup for the Tigers. Honor, Pierce, Carralero, Carter II and East on the floor. Alabama 16, Missouri 10. 
• 14:00: 6-0 run for the Crimson Tide. Scoring drought of 2:30+ for the Tigers. Alabama 14, Missouri 10. 
• 15:57, Media Timeout: East and Bates lead the way with four points each. Tigers are 5-6 from the field to start. Missouri 10, Alabama 8.
• 18:22: First foul of the night for Missouri is on Carter. Pringle can't complete the three-point play. Alabama 5, Missouri 4.
• The first points of the night belong to Missouri.

Pregame: 

• Starting Five - Bates, Honor, East II, Carter, Vanover.

• John Tonje is seated on the bench with a brace.

How to Watch: Missouri Basketball vs. Alabama

Who: Missouri (8-8) vs. Alabama (11-5)

When: Tuesday, January 16, 6:00 p.m. CT

Where: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, Ala.

TV: SEC Network

Series: Alabama leads 14-7

Last Meeting: March 11, 2023 - Alabama 72, Missouri 61

Last Time Out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide stole a pivotal 82-74 victory over Mississippi State in Starkville, moving to 11-5 and 3-0 in the SEC.

Last Time Out, Missouri: The Tigers fell 71-69 at home to Lamont Paris' South Carolina, falling to 0-3 in conference. 

See More:

Mizzou Guard John Tonje to Miss Remainder of Season