The Alabama Crimson Tide secured a 92-81 victory against the Kennesaw State Owls during the Rocket City Classic held in Huntsville, Alabama, on December 21, 2025. Despite building a commanding lead of up to 30 points in the second half, Alabama faced a late-game challenge as Kennesaw State outscored them 53-38 after halftime. This win marked the second consecutive triumph for Alabama head coach Nate Oats against his former assistant coach, Antoine Pettway, who is now leading Kennesaw State.
Alabama’s standout player was sophomore forward Aiden Sherrell, who delivered a season-high performance. Sherrell recorded 15 points by halftime, shooting 6-for-7 from the field and 3-for-5 from the free-throw line. He finished the game with a total of 21 points, along with seven rebounds. “The guards were finding me a lot,” Sherrell commented after the game. “They were mixing up the coverages and everything. I was just trying to get the teammates open, and they happened to find me a lot.” Coach Oats praised Sherrell for his significant improvements in both offensive and defensive play, noting that he has made “huge leaps” in rim protection over the past two months.
Despite the victory, Alabama struggled with rebounding once again, losing this crucial battle 46-41 against Kennesaw State. The Owls controlled the boards, particularly in the second half, where they out-rebounded Alabama 23-17. Freshman Amari Allen contributed a team-high eight rebounds and nine points, showcasing resilience after missing the previous game due to a hip injury. Oats acknowledged Allen’s strong performance, stating, “He made some tough plays on the glass in the win.”
Alabama’s rebounding issues have become a focal point for Oats as the team prepares for its final non-conference game against Yale on December 29 before entering Southeastern Conference (SEC) play. Oats emphasized the need for increased physicality and toughness in the frontcourt. “If you don’t want to rebound, you’re not going to play,” he stated firmly. “We’ve got to get some toughness, some physicality, some rebounding.”
As the Crimson Tide gears up for the upcoming SEC season, the coaching staff will continue to address these rebounding challenges. Oats is particularly hopeful that Allen’s recovery time over the Christmas break will enhance his performance moving forward, as the team seeks to find players who can contribute both offensively and defensively in the frontcourt.
With the victory against Kennesaw State, Alabama improves its record to 9-3, while Kennesaw State falls to 8-4. The Crimson Tide’s offense, highlighted by Sherrell’s impressive outing and Allen’s return, offers a promising outlook as they prepare to face Yale and then transition into the competitive landscape of SEC basketball.