Re-Emphasized Hustle the Difference for Tide

Tuscaloosa, AL. - The Alabama Crimson Tide needed overtime to do it, but they came back to defeat the Florida Gators 98-93 thanks to a big second half by both Mark Sears and Sam Walters.

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The Crimson Tide were challenged by head coach Nate Oats to pick up the intensity, and it seemed they did that in practice. Rylan Griffen came out of the locker room with a bandaid over his left eye, and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. did not play due to a concussion he suffered in practice on Monday.

That intensity transferred over to Wednesday's game. Florida and Alabama both boast a fast pace of play, and that was the case all night. Florida took a 41-37 lead into halftime, but Alabama increased the intensity in the second half. It worked in the Crimson Tide's favor, with Alabama outscoring Florida by four in the second half and by five in overtime to get their 11th win in SEC play.

Alabama had five players in double digits. Nelson led the team with 22, and Estrada also had 20. Sears had 17, Walters had 14, and Nick Pringle had 13.

Alabama's second-half shooting was part of the difference in the game. In the first half, Alabama shot 2-for-18 from three. In the second half, Alabama shot 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. Walters was 3-for-4 in the second half. Grant Nelson also led the team in rebounds with eight, while Mark Sears led the team in assists with eight.

Alabama advances to 19-7 overall (11-2 in SEC). The Crimson Tide will travel to Rupp Arena to take on the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, February 24.