Overview
- Alabama won 90-86 at Chicago’s United Center, improving to 3-1 after trailing at halftime and controlling the closing minutes at the stripe.
- Labaron Philon Jr. scored 24 points with 19 after the break, including a burst of nine straight that blunted multiple Illinois rallies.
- Transfer forward Keitenn Bristow made his first appearance of the season and added 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench, while Houston Mallette sealed it with two late free throws.
- Illinois was led by Andrej Stojaković’s 26 points and Kylan Boswell’s 22, but the Illini went 13-for-22 at the line and could not convert enough late opportunities.
- The result follows Alabama’s loss to Purdue and sets up a quick turnaround at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, opening against Gonzaga on Monday.