Tuesday night eight SEC teams met up to play some basketball. The three nationally ranked SEC teams all came out victorious, but none of the wins came easy for any team.
South Carolina vs. Alabama
Alabama stayed ahead of the South Carolina Gamecocks throughout the game to take home the win, 76-62.
Alabama rolls past the Gamecocks for the W‼️
The Crimson Tide used a balance scoring attack, with 9⃣ players contributing to the final score and 4⃣ reaching double figures#RollTide #BuckleUp pic.twitter.com/KTCJHfUMjt
— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) January 10, 2018
This win snaps a two-game losing streak for Alabama.
The Crimson Tide also had four players score in the double figures.
- Freshman John Petty lead the team with 15 points
- Junior Donta Hall had 13 points and seven rebounds
- Sophomore Daniel Giddens went 5-for-5 with 11 points
- Junior Avery Johnson Jr. put up 10 points
Alabama held South Carolina to just 7-of-25 shooting from the floor and to 0 of 6 from beyond the arc the second half of the game. Winning this game improved Alabama’s record to 10-6 and 2-2 in the SEC.
Texas A&M vs. #21 Kentucky
Texas A&M kept up a good fight against nationally ranked Kentucky, but ultimately couldn’t grab the win. Number 21 Kentucky defeated the Aggies by just one point, 74-73.
With just a couple minutes left in the second half, Kentucky forward P.J. Washington made a steal which led to freshman Kevin Knox’s go-ahead lay up. Between two free throws, Washington added a layup to give the Wildcats a 73-69 lead but the Aggies wouldn’t go away. They took advantage of a couple Kentucky missed free throws to get within a point of the Wildcats and they had an open three point look to take the lead but the shot wouldn’t go down and Kentucky held on for the win.
Back to winning ways tonight. On to the next one. #EmbraceTheBattle https://t.co/VJ4pBevJva
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 10, 2018
#24 Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt
Tennessee roared back from a 10 point halftime deficit to beat in state rival Vanderbilt Tuesday night, 92-84. Sophomore Grant Williams had a career high night with 37 points on 12-of 20 shooting for the Vols to go along with seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists.
This. Man. pic.twitter.com/0xwsiK3ELt
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) January 10, 2018
Vanderbilt freshman guard Saben Lee lead the Dores in points with 21.
Ole Miss vs. #22 Auburn
Despite an early lead by Ole Miss, nationally ranked Auburn came back to defeat the Rebels 85-70. This was an unusual game for the Tigers as they have been putting up big leads early on and then taking home the wins.
Six Auburn players scored in double figures.
- Junior Forward Desean Murray – 16 points
- Sophomore Guard Mustapha Heron – 15 points
- Junior Guard Bryce Brown – 13 points
- Sophomore Forward Anfernee McLemore – 13 points
- Junior Forward Horace Spencer – 12 points
- Sophomore Guard Jared Harper – 12 points
Leader scorer for the Ole Miss Rebels was sophomore guard Breein Tyree with 24 points.
Great win, in front of a sellout crowd!
📰 » https://t.co/2ISQiGNEGq#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/rK0p8sdH6I
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) January 10, 2018
This win improved Auburn’s record to 15-1 overall and 3-0 in the SEC. Ole Miss, on the other hand, is now 9-7 overall and 2-2 in the SEC. The Florida Gators will take on Ole Miss this Saturday in Oxford.