Mark Sears scored 24 points and No. 9 Alabama beat No. 6 Houston 85-80 in overtime in the opener of the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.

Tuesday night brought about what was arguably the toughest test yet for the 2024-25 Alabama Crimson Tide, as the nation’s No. 9 ranked program in the AP and Coaches Poll’s took to the court in Las Vegas against one of college basketball’s elite teams, the Houston Cougars.

Alabama basketball (4-1) and Houston are set to meet for the first time since coach Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide traveled to Texas in December 2022

The Crimson Tide prevailed 85-80 in overtime of this inter-top-10 matchup as it had all the makings of an excellent neutral site game.

Alabama basketball guard Mouhamed Dioubate turned overtime in to "'Mo'vertime" against No. 7 Houston on Tuesday.

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