Alabama was looking to wash away the bad taste of that Tennessee loss as they hosted Mizzou tonight, and they got it done by a score of 90-64.

Chuck Bediako drew his first start of the season, which slid Aiden Sherrell to the four. That paid immediate dividends, as Sherrell scored five in the early going to help Alabama open up a small lead. Things stayed close for most of the half, but a 12-2 spurt at about the six minute mark opened things up a bit, and Alabama took a 42-29 lead into the break.

Labaron Philon was hot and led the way with 11 points while adding five assists. Aden Holloway pitched in four assists of his own but scored only three points. Alabama was able to narrowly win the rebounding battle thanks to Taylor Bol Bowen’s six, and four from Bediako. The Tide made nine of 23 behind the arc, and when this team shoots the ball like that they are tough to beat.

Coming out of the locker room, it was the Latrell Wrightsell Jr. show. “Trelly” was as active as he’s been on defense all season, and tossed in four from deep in the first 11 minutes of the half, as the Tide opened up a commanding lead. They led by as much as 27 in the game, smothering Mizzou on defense and scoring efficiently on the other end.

Bediako is proving to be a difference maker. Teams just don’t have the same paths to the hoop when he’s patrolling the lane, and he’s making a solid contribution on the offensive end as well. Interior defense has been this team’s most pressing issue and he fixes that. Wrightsell and Philon carried the scoring load in this one with 21 and 18, respectively, while Sherrell and Bediako combined for 30.

Alabama needed this one to get back above .500 in conference play and avoid the first three game home losing streak in Oats’ tenure. Next up will be a very difficult trip to Florida on Saturday. Hopefully they can get Amari Allen back for that one.