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It was a historic night in Tuscaloosa for more than one reason.
Across the street from the hall, DeVonta Smith won the Heisman Trophy, the Alabama basketball team did something pretty rare.
The 86-71 win over Florida not only gave the Tide a four-game winning streak, it ended a futile home streak against the Gators that stretched back almost 15 years. The Coleman Coliseum’s last victory over Florida was in February 2006 before losing eight in a row on that floor.
That was a good response after upsetting the Tennessee top 10 on Saturday.
Alabama (8-3, 3-0 SEC) haven’t lost since a Dec. 19 visit to western Kentucky and they did so on Tuesday without one of the stars in that race.
Playmaker Jahvon Quinerly was absent with what coach Nate Oats called a “medical condition”. The sophomore had come out of an early season slump and scored 16.6 points in the three-game winning streak, including a season 24 record against Ole Miss.
“It’s definitely not a late-season injury or anything,” Oats said, noting he couldn’t say more due to privacy laws.
Without him, Tide scored by committee, 26 minutes before Jaden Shackelford became the team’s first double-digit goalscorer. He was one of five to finish there with 16 points with Herbert Jones and Keon Ellis tying his total.
“Our confidence is high,” said Ellis, “but we never have a big head because day in and day out anyone can beat you.”
Florida (5-2, 2-1) scored the first five points of the game and traded punches with Alabama in the first period before the hosts broke things off after intermission.
A 16-2 run called by Petty’s 3-pointer put Tide 16 with just over 12 minutes to go. Alabama’s lead reached 21 years in the second half.
Ellis, a JUCO transfer, was a first-half spark who made his first three 3-pointers and finished with his best 16 of the season.
“He grew up an hour and a half from the Florida campus, so I thought that was great for him,” Oats said. “He came ready to play tonight. I thought of his efforts and his energy… he was over 30 when he was in the game. It’s the lowest the highest I’ve seen in a 15-point game.
Florida only shot 40% and couldn’t match the tide in the painted area. A 46-28 scoring edge near the rim made up for the fact that the tide didn’t hit double-digit 3-pointers in fact for the first time in four games. Alabama was 8-20 from the perimeter.
James ‘Rojas’, the peak of season 15, was achieved largely in paint.
“Our level of trust, we know it’s just us and we have to trust each other every day,” Rojas said. “I think our confidence just makes us better as a team.”
That 73-71 loss to WKU on December 19 was a turning point for this Alabama team.
“Taking a loss against them,” said Ellis, “I think we were favorites, kinda woke us up. Just bring it every night. “
Alabama will then travel to Auburn for an 11am game on Saturday at Auburn Arena.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on twitter @ByCasagrande Or on Facebook.
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