By KENNINGTON LLOYD SMITH III Associated Press

Labaron Philon Jr. had 22 points and eight assists, Houston Mallette added 15 points and No. 15 Alabama opened the season with a 91-62 victory against North Dakota on Monday night.

Philon scored or assisted on 32 of Alabama’s 48 first-half points, more than making up for the Crimson Tide’s short-handed bench.

Alabama played without guards Aden Holloway (wrist) and Latrell Wrightsell (Achilles) and transfer forward Keitenn Bristow (ankle). Transfer guard Jalil Bethea, who injured his foot during practice in September, remained sidelined.

Those absences allowed true freshman Amari Allen and transfer Taylor Bol Bowen to start. Allen finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Garrett Anderson led North Dakota with

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