Alabama Takes Down Kentucky in a High-Energy SEC Showdown
Alabama basketball came into Saturday night looking for redemption, and they got exactly that with a huge 96-83 win over No. 17 Kentucky. After back-to-back losses to Auburn and Missouri, the No. 4 Crimson Tide needed a response, and they delivered in front of a fired-up home crowd at Coleman Coliseum. It wasn’t a smooth ride from the start, but Alabama found its rhythm, locked in on defense, and took control of the game to secure a statement win.
Early on, Kentucky looked like they were ready to take advantage of Alabama’s recent struggles. The Wildcats jumped out to a 16-9 lead, putting the Tide on their heels. But head coach Nate Oats wasn’t about to let the game slip away. He stuck to an aggressive substitution strategy, rotating players quickly to find the right mix. At first, it didn’t seem to make much of a difference, but as the first half progressed, Alabama started clicking. A dominant 29-10 run turned the game around, giving them a 47-40 lead at halftime.
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One of the biggest stories of the night was Mark Sears. The senior guard was unstoppable, dropping 30 points on 8-of-17 shooting and a perfect 11-of-11 from the free-throw line. His energy on both ends of the floor helped set the tone, and his leadership was evident every time Alabama needed a big play.
Defensively, Alabama took a major step forward. They weren’t perfect—Kentucky still managed to score 34 points in the paint—but they made life difficult for the Wildcats' top scorers. Junior Otega Oweh, who came into the game averaging over 16 points per game, was held to just two points on 1-of-9 shooting. Alabama’s defensive pressure forced 13 Kentucky turnovers, leading to 24 points the other way. That was a game-changer.
Another key factor? Ball movement. Alabama’s offense looked smooth and efficient, creating open looks and keeping Kentucky on its heels. They finished with 14 assists and kept mistakes to a minimum. Even with 13 turnovers, their ability to recover and make the right passes kept the offense rolling. And when they got to the free-throw line, they made it count—21-of-25 from the stripe compared to Kentucky’s 72.7%.
With this win, Alabama improves to 22-5 on the season and 11-3 in SEC play. This was a must-win game, and the Crimson Tide delivered. The road ahead doesn’t get any easier, with tough matchups against Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Florida coming up. But after this performance, Alabama looks ready to make a serious push for a top seed in the SEC and NCAA tournaments.
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