TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— The No. 4 Alabama basketball team made good on the first phase of freshman guard Labaron Philon’s word Tuesday night, protecting home court against a Vanderbilt squad with momentum from a weekend upset.

Vanderbilt basketball saw a common theme against No. 3 Alabama that it did in its previous losses in its 103-87 loss Tuesday at Coleman Coliseum. The Commodores got off to a very poor start in the first half,

The Crimson Tide outscored the Commodores 54-32 in the paint and won the battle on the glass 44-39 while holding Vanderbilt to nearly 10% below its usual field goal percentage of 47.1. It started inside as Alabama came out as the more aggressive and physical team, and the Tide didn't let up through all 40 minutes.