TUSCALOOSA — Some clutch late play from Yves Pons helped the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team snap a three-game losing streak and get back into the win column on the road Tuesday night.
Pons, the Southeastern Conference’s leading shot blocker, got a crucial swat with the Volunteers clinging to a 67-65 lead.
He clinched the game with a pair of free throws that gave the Vols a 69-65 lead with 4.6 seconds left in the game.
Tennessee would nab a 69-68 victory over Alabama at Coleman Coliseum.
you absolutely LOVE to see it pic.twitter.com/B6PGTiv5aE
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) February 5, 2020
Pons finished the game with 14 points and grabbed 14 points for the Big Orange, which trailed the Crimson Tide (12-10 overall, 4-5 in the SEC) 40-32 at halftime and fell behind by as many as 15 points in the first half.
John Fulkerson scored 22 points to lead the Vols (13-9, 5-4) and Jordan Bowden, who has had his share of offensive struggles lately, scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Santiago Vescovi continues to be solid for the Vols. He had eight points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Kira Lewis scored 19 points to pace Alabama, which has now lost two consecutive SEC home games.