NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 19/19 Alabama men’s basketball team fell to Florida, 102-88, in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals Friday night in Bridgestone Arena. 

 

The Crimson Tide (21-11) was led by Mark Sears’ 22 points while Nick Pringle earned his second consecutive double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

 

The Gators (23-10) were led by Walter Clayton Jr.’s 23 points including 11-11 shooting from the foul line.

 

Head Coach Nate Oats Postgame Comments

“This certainly was not the outcome we were expecting or hoping for. You have to give Florida a lot of credit, they played us very well in two games during the regular season. I thought we had a good start to the game, then they adjusted, and we lost the mentality to put them away early.”

TEAM STATS

• The defeat was head coach Nate Oats’ first loss in the city of Nashville since arriving in Tuscaloosa
• Previously, Oats was 6-0 at the SEC Tournament in Nashville and is 4-0 when his teams have played at Vanderbilt
• Nick Pringle collected his second double-double of the season, both coming in each of the Tide’s last two contests
• Alabama is now 6-2 (.750) in SEC Tournament contests under Oats
• The Tide was held to just 24 percent (6-25) from three-point range, making it the sixth time this season, and third time against UF, that’s happened

 

FIRST HALF

• The Crimson Tide got off to a fast start, scoring the game’s first eight points to force an early Florida timeout at the 18:06 mark
• After trading baskets, the Gators broke the stalemate with a 10-0 run to take their first lead of the game at the under four-minute media timeout
• Florida would continue its run by scoring 11 of the next 13 points, making it a 21-2 run that turned a 31-27 Alabama lead into a 48-33 halftime deficit

 

SECOND HALF

• Florida would extend its lead to as many as 24 points on several occasions
• The Tide made a late push and was able to cut the lead to 12, 96-84, with just under a minute remaining but could not get any closer

 

UP NEXT

• Alabama will await its NCAA Tournament fate which will be determined on Selection Sunday
• The NCAA Tournament selection show will be televised on CBS beginning at 5 p.m. CT

 

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