Kentucky outlasts Alabama in semis

De’Aaron Fox scored a career-high 28 points, including seven straight down the stretch, and Malik Monk added 20 to lift No. 8 Kentucky past Alabama 79-74 in the Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinal on Saturday.

The Wildcats shot 52 percent from the floor and 69 percent from the line after missing numerous chances that left openings for the pesky Crimson Tide to stay close. But Kentucky converted chances when needed, hitting 13 of 17 free throws in the final six minutes with Fox making 5 of 7 in particular and 11 of 15 overall.

Bam Adebayo had 10 points and nine rebounds to send top-seeded Kentucky (28-5) to today’s championship game against Arkansas.

Dazon Ingram had 17 points for No. 5 seed Alabama (19-14), which outrebounded Kentucky 33-28, but couldn’t get the basket when needed to overcome the Wildcats.

Another slow start dug a 17-7 hole before the Wildcats answered with 11 straight points for the lead. Monk got out of his funk after two subpar games to shoot 6 of 14 with a pair of 3-pointers. Derek Willis added a pair of key 3s as well.

ARKANSAS 76, VANDERBILT

62: Moses Kingsley had 12 points and 13 rebounds as the third-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks beat Vanderbilt in the Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinals. The Razorbacks (25-8) won their third straight to reach the championship for the seventh time. Arkansas simply smothered Vanderbilt, especially in the paint where the Razorbacks had a 46-16 scoring edge. Jaylen Barford led Arkansas with 18 points. Dusty Hannahs added 16 and Daryl Macon 15. Playing a third game in as many days took its toll on seventh-seeded Vanderbilt (19-15). The Commodores saw a three-game winning streak end after reaching the semifinals for the first time since 2013.