Alabama Men’s Basketball Falls to Florida in Opening Round of SEC Tournament, 69-61

The Alabama men’s basketball team was defeated by the Florida Gators in the opening round of the 2015 SEC Tournament by a final score of 69-61 on Thursday afternoon inside Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville. The Crimson Tide trailed by just four points at the half, but the Gators outscored the Tide 36-32 after the break to lock down the victory.

Alabama (18-14) burst out of the gates, scoring 14 points in the game’s first 4:43 minutes to build a game-high eight-point lead that it would hold until just under the 11-minute mark.  The Gators (16-16) responded with an 8-0 run, and held the Tide scoreless over a span of 4:12 to build a 33-29 halftime lead.

Alabama had four of its five starters reach double figures, led by Levi Randolph and Jimmie Taylor who each turned in 15 points. Rodney Cooper – who fouled out with just under five minutes remaining – scored 13, while Retin Obasohan rounded out the Tide double-digit scorers with 10.

Florida’s Dorian Finney-Smith collected a game-high 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting including a season high four three pointers. Finney-Smith also collected a game-best 11 rebounds.

The Crimson Tide will find out its postseason fate Sunday night.