Alabama basketball wins SEC opener against Vanderbilt 78-75

Crimson Tide start off SEC play with victory over Vandy

It wasn’t the prettiest win, but they all count the same as Alabama knocked off Vanderbilt in their SEC opener on Saturday by a score of 78-75. The Tide led for the final 34 minutes of the game but just couldn’t put away a frisky Commodores team in Nashville.

The Tide shot very well on the day at 49.1% from the field and 40% from three but were plagued offensively by turnovers with 16 on the afternoon. Mark Sears and Rylan Griffen were responsible for 37 of the starting five’s 49 points. Alabama is a lot better than their 9-5 record would indicate.

The season takes off fast as the 13-1 South Carolina Gamecocks come to Tuscaloosa on Tuesday for the Tide’s second SEC contest of the season. Then, the Tide will be in Starkville next Saturday for a showdown with the Bulldogs of Mississippi State.

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