Bama upsets Kentucky in SEC opener

ALABAMA 77, NO. 13 KENTUCKY 75

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Tevin Mack made six firsthalf three-pointers on his way to 22 points, and Alabama held off No. 13 Kentucky 77-75 on Saturday in the SEC opener for both teams. Dazon Ingram scored all 11 of his points after halftime, including some key free throws in the Crimson Tide’s fifth consecutive victory. The Wildcats gave them a big scare in the final seconds after surging back from 11 points down. Ingram made two free throws with 23 seconds left in between back-to-back layups by Ashton Hagans. Hagans’ second cut it to 76-73 with 16 seconds left. Alabama (10-3) got the ball across midcourt but Hagans came away with the ball on a steal from Ingram. PJ Washington scored on a dunk with 5 seconds to play and Kentucky (10-3) quickly fouled John Petty, who made one of two from the line. Tyler Herro’s three-point try for the victory at the buzzer bounced off the rim. Kira Lewis Jr. had 12 points for the Tide, which had five players score in double figures. Donta Hall had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Herbert Jones finished with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Washington led the Wildcats with 15 points and they also had all five starters reach double figures. Keldon Johnson finished with 13. Herro, Reid Travis and Hagans all scored 12. Hagans also had six assists and three steals. Hall scored on a tap-in to push Alabama’s lead to 72-61 with 3:12 left. Johnson answered with a three-pointer for the Wildcats, who whittled away at the lead but could never quite catch up. Herro’s three-pointer cut it to 74-69 with 40 seconds left after Travis grabbed the offensive rebound. The Wildcats forced a turnover on the inbounds play and Hagans drove for a layup. Alabama scored the first eight points after halftime to take a 46-40 lead. The Wildcats were called for three offensive fouls in the first two minutes. It was the first time Kentucky played in Coleman Coliseum since Feb. 11, 2016.

NO. 3 TENNESSEE 96, GEORGIA 50

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Jordan Bowden scored 20 points off the bench as No. 3 Tennessee opened SEC competition by trouncing Georgia for its eighth consecutive victory. Tennessee recorded the most lopsided triumph in this series’ 146-game history, surpassing a 105-69 Volunteers victory from Feb. 1, 1975. The Vols (12-1, 1-0 SEC) were one point away from matching their most decisive victory over any SEC opponent. Tennessee beat Mississippi 102-55 on Jan. 8, 1966. Tennessee delighted a sellout crowd with its 17th consecutive home victory. Tennessee’s last home defeat was a 94-84 setback against Auburn on Jan. 2, 2018. Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield scored 18 points each for Tennessee. Kyle Alexander had 12 points and 14 rebounds, and Jordan Bone added 11 points. Derek Ogbeide scored 17 points for Georgia (8-5, 0-1), which had a threegame winning streak snapped.

SOUTH CAROLINA 71, FLORIDA 69

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Chris Silva’s dunk following a full-court pass with 2.5 seconds remaining gave South Carolina a victory over Florida in the SEC opener for both teams. Silva finished with 18 points — all in the second half — and helped the Gamecocks (6-7, 1-0) overcome a 14-point deficit. None of his shots was as big as his last one. Silva walled off Florida’s Kevarrius Hayes and caught a 90-foot pass from Felipe Haase for the winner. The Gators (8-5, 0-1) failed to make a basket in the final 7:17, missing 11 of their final 12 shots and the last 8. Hassani Gravett led the Gamecocks with 22 points. Silva made 5 of 6 shots and 8 of 9 from the free-throw line.