Alabama basketball reignited its SEC title ambitions Saturday night, overcoming a 12-point deficit to crush No. 17 Kentucky 96-83 behind Mark Sears’ electrifying 30-point performance. The Crimson Tide (22-5, 11-3 SEC) snapped a two-game skid while securing their first season sweep of Kentucky since 2021.
Trailing 30-18 early, Alabama unleashed an 18-2 run fueled by Sears’ perimeter aggression and freshman Aden Holloway’s clutch shooting. Kentucky never recovered, collapsing defensively as Alabama closed the first half on a 29-10 surge.
This team showed championship resilience tonight,said Alabama head coach Nate Oats. Eight top-25 wins isn’t just a record—it’s a statement.
Key factors driving Alabama’s dominance:
- Sears’ 30-point explosion (9/16 FG, 4 three-pointers)
- Holloway’s 19-point breakout, including 5 three-pointers
- Kentucky star Otega Oweh held to 2 points before fouling out
While Kentucky (18-9, 7-7 SEC) started hot with 4 early three-pointers, their 34.6% long-range efficiency paled against Alabama’s 11 triples. The Tide’s defensive adjustments neutralized Oweh—the SEC’s most consistent scorer—limiting him to 1/9 shooting.
With March Madness looming, Alabama strengthens its NCAA tournament seeding case ahead of Tuesday’s clash with No. 21 Mississippi State. Kentucky faces urgent questions after their third loss in four games.
