No. 5 Florida Dominates Glass and Defeats No. 7 Alabama in Coleman Season Finale

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- No. 7 Alabama basketball (24-6, 13-4) returned to Coleman Coliseum looking to bounce back from Saturday's heartbreaking loss to Tennessee and ensure the seniors' last game at home ended in a win.

Unfortunately, the SEC gauntlet continued for the Crimson Tide, and No. 5 Florida spoiled senior night by dominating the inside and defeating Alabama 99-94.

The Crimson Tide struggled throughout the evening defending the Gators, allowing Florida to convert 49 percent from the floor and score 52 points in the paint. Alabama struggled with the Gators' physicality losing the rebounding battle 50 to 34 and allowing Florida to score 19 second-chance points on 16 offensive rebounds.

"Give Florida a lot of credit," Alabama head coach Nate Oats said. "They came in and played us tough, they looked like they had more energy to be honest with you. I don't know if it's a lag from the tough loss at Tennessee if our guys are just tired, I don't know. To get outrebounded by 15, we knew they were a tough rebounding team, but we're usually better than that when go into a game knowing we've got to rebound.

"It seemed like they beat us to just about every 50-50 ball, they obviously destroyed us on the glass, in second-chance points they doubled us, gave up 26 fast break points according to our stats, which is terrible. 26 points fast break, 19 second-chance is 45. That's about half their points that came on second-chance and transition. We've got to be better. It doesn't matter what your game plan is if you don't get back on defense and you can't get a rebound."

Florida's interior presence caused complications on Alabama's offensive end as Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu combined to affect shots forcing the Tide to 17-of-33 from the paint.

Condon was a matchup problem the entire evening, scoring 27 points, securing 10 rebounds, two blocks and an assist. He was helped on the exterior by senior guard Walter Clayton Jr. who scored 22 points with eight assists and five rebounds.

Alabama erased a one-point halftime deficit turning it into a five-point lead with 16:19 to play in the second half, but the Gators stymied the momentum with strong shot-making and physicality under the basket.

Mark Sears finished his time in Coleman with a 30-point effort adding six rebounds and five assists. He was aided by Labaron Philon scoring 19 points, with five rebounds and four assists.

Alabama concludes the regular season with a rivalry matchup on the road against the Auburn Tigers on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT.