Florida played like its life was on the line Saturday afternoon, because it was. The Gators came into Tuscaloosa below .500 in SEC play and in desperate need of a win over the Alabama Crimson Tide to continue their fight back into the NCAA Tournament field.
Florida controlled the pace and energy of the game from the tip.
Neither team got off to a great start offensively as the Gators led just 4-0 at the first media timeout. Both of those baskets came by the hand of Andrew Nembhard.
The defense smothered Alabama’s offensive attack early.