No. 16 Alabama beats Arkansas 92-88 in OT to secure double bye in SEC Tournament
Sat, Mar 9, 2024
NCAAB News (AP)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Mark Sears scored 22 points and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. had 20, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 22 seconds to go to force overtime, as No. 16 Alabama rallied to beat Arkansas 92-88 on Saturday.
Sam Walters scored seven of his 10 points in overtime, including a go-ahead 3-pointer, for Alabama (21-10, 13-5 Southeastern Conference) which never led in regulation and secured a double bye in the SEC Tournament next week with the win.
Khalif Battle led Arkansas (15-16, 6-12) with 22 points and Makhi Mitchell scored 18. Tramon Mark scored 13 and Travon Brazille had 12.
It was the first start for Wrightsell since Feb. 17. He sustained a head injury in practice and missed three straight games.
Wrightsell's return was a welcome sight for a Crimson Tide team that struggled from the 3-point line in his absence. Wrightsell led Alabama, going 4 for 8 from 3-point range.
Grant Nelson scored 14 and Nick Pringle and Aaron Estrada had 10 each for the Crimson Tide, which took its first lead 30 seconds into OT.
Arkansas opened the game with a 10-2 run along with three forced turnovers to set the tone early.
The Razorbacks dominated with 22 points in the paint in the first half while shooting 52% from the field. Arkansas limited Alabama to 36% shooting and outrebounded Alabama 22-18.
Arkansas stumbled in the second half, shooting 1 of 11 at one point, but going 13 for 13 from the foul line kept the Razorbacks in control.
BIG PICTURE
Arkansas: The Razorbacks dropped their seventh SEC road game of the season.
Alabama: The Tide secured back-to-back 13-win SEC records for first time since 1986-87.
UP NEXT
Arkansas and Alabama head to the SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tennessee.
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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
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