Aaron Estrada’s day started with a song.

Before Alabama tipped off against Mississippi State, the Crimson Tide continued a team tradition by having freshmen deliver a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ at practice. Then, as Alabama shot around pregame, the student section serenaded UA’s transfer guard.

“It might’ve not been like the best signing,” freshman Jarin Stevenson joked postgame.

“Really bad, they’re not very good singers, but it’s good fun. Sounded like me if I had to sing,” head coach Nate Oats quipped as he walked off the podium following UA’s 32-point win.

The 23-year-old Estrada had a fair amount to celebrate on Saturday. Estrada finished with 15 points on seven-of-13 shooting with three assists and one steal in the 99-67 final.

He continued his hot streak in SEC play, reaching double-digit points for the third-straight outing. He dipped and swooned inside for acrobatic layups, helping UA produce 44 points in the paint. He also grabbed eight rebounds as part of the group effort that limited the production of MSU forward Tolu Smith III.

The grad student who’s bounced from St. Peter’s to Oregon to Hofstra before settling in Tuscaloosa this past offseason entered averaging 12.7 points per game with a 43.1% field-goal rate. And in a game in which star Mark Sears had another 20-plus point outing, Estrada showed the ability to be a secondary ball-handler and a spark to No. 24 Alabama’s (16-6, 8-1) offense.

Estrada helped give Alabama 48 to 37 edge overall in rebounds and 20 offensive boards compared to the Bulldogs’ (14-8, 3-6) 11.

“It was huge,” Oats said of Estrada’s impact on the glass. “Even with playing all four guards we were trying to get Aaron, you know it’s his birthday today, so a triple-double birthday is what we were trying to preach to him. We didn’t make enough shots for him to get enough assists but he had 15, 8 and 3. It’s more than a solid game on his birthday.”

One of his assists came in a scoring run in the second half. Hovering near the home bench, Estrada intercepted a pass or a quick feed to Sam Walters, who nailed the spot-up 3-pointer. Alabama scored 27 points off turnovers and 19 second-chance points.

The Coleman Coliseum crowd roared and one fan waved a piece of paper that he had scribbled “HBD” on in black marker.

“Not sure if we’re going to be celebrating tonight or what. It was good having a guard like Aaron,” forward Mouhamed Dioubate said. “He makes it easy for us with him rebounding and playing defense. I just love having him as a teammate.”

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].