Gators rally
Florida point guard Taurean Green didn't stop shooting.
In the end, it was Green who came up with huge shots, helping No. 1 Florida avoid its first loss in more than two months.
"As long as the bigs kept kicking it out and we were open, coach said for us to keep shooting it," Green said.
"They kept going up and under (the pick)," Green said. "In the first half, we weren't hitting those shots."
Florida overcame its largest deficit of the season by holding Alabama to 25-second half points and hitting some timely shots late. Afterward, a raspy Florida coach Billy Donovan said it was one of the best wins he's ever been a part of.
"Hopefully, it keeps our guys humble for the future," Donovan said. "The Vanderbilt game, we got back in a hurry. This one we got back into the game more slowly and had to grind it out."
Florida lacked focus early, turning the ball over on its first three possessions. The Tide took advantage, scoring the first 11 points of the game. Hendrix dunked twice inside during the run, with Gee scoring on a pair of driving layups.
The Gators didn't score their first basket until the 15:39 mark of the first half, with a Horford layup cutting Alabama's lead to 11-2. From there, Alabama piled up its lead with points from the perimeter. Brandon Hollinger and Ronald Steele hit consecutive 3-pointers, putting Alabama ahead 22-4 and leaving the O'Connell Center sellout in stunned silence.
"Our guys were kind of overwhelmed early," Donovan said.
Alabama made 10 of its first 12 shots.
"None of us could catch a break with our shots," Green said. "They were making everything."
Florida struggled from a perimeter early, going one for its first 10 from 3-point range.
"I told our guys, we're 1-for-10 from 3-point range, keep playing to our identity," Donovan said. "Get the ball inside to our big guys and keep shooting if our bigs are doubled and they kick the ball back out."
