Grant Nelson had 22 points and eight rebounds and Aaron Estrada recorded 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to help No. 13 Alabama escape with a 98-93 overtime victory over No. 24 Florida on Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Mark Sears had 17 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for the Crimson Tide (19-7, 11-2 SEC), who trailed for most of the game in regulation. Sam Walters had 14 points, Nick Pringle added 13 points before fouling out and Rylan Griffen added 10 points for Alabama, which won for the 13th time in its last 15 games to remain in first place in the conference.
Walter Clayton Jr. had 27 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Gators (18-8, 8-5), who lost for just the second time in their past nine games. Will Richard and Zyon Pullin scored 17 points apiece, Tyrese Samuel had 14 points and eight rebounds and Alex Condon added 10 points.
The Crimson Tide scored the first seven points of overtime. Estrada converted a layup 14 seconds into the extra period and Griffen drained a 3-pointer with 3:26 left. Estrada added another basket with 2:44 to go as the Crimson Tide took a 92-85 lead.
Clayton scored six straight points as Florida crept within 94-91. Condon hit a short hook shot with 35 seconds left to bring Florida within one.
Griffin missed a corner 3-pointer and Estrada grabbed the rebound and made a layup with 8.5 seconds left for a three-point Crimson Tide lead.
Clayton missed a trey with about two seconds left for the Gators, and Sears sewed up Alabama’s win by making two free throws with 0.5 seconds left.
In regulation, a layup by Pullin gave Florida an 85-83 lead with 1:11 left, but Sears hit two free throws to tie it for the Crimson Tide with 54.8 seconds left.
The Gators shot 43.2 percent from the floor, including 9 of 30 from 3-point range.
Alabama made 44 percent of its shots and was 8-of-32 from behind the arc. The Crimson Tide had a 54-44 rebounding edge, including 21 on the offensive glass.
Florida led 76-67 after a dunk by Tyrese Samuel with 6:11 remaining before Alabama rattled off 10 straight points to take its first lead since 18-17.
Sam Walters hit a 3-pointer, Sears nailed a jumper and Pringle scored on a layup to pull the Crimson Tide within 76-74. Sears then drained a 3-pointer to give Alabama a 77-76 lead with 4:25 remaining.
Clayton had 13 first-half points and Richard added 11 as the Gators led 41-37 at the break.
–Field Level Media