2011 SEC Men's Tournament
Semifinal Round
Game 9 -- (E2) Kentucky 72, (W1) Alabama 58
Final Stats
Game Photos
Kentucky Quotes
Alabama Quotes
Game Highlights
Atlanta, Ga. -- Brandon Knight finally got rolling at the Southeastern Conference tournament and No. 15 Kentucky looked like a young team peaking at just the right time with a 72-58 semifinal victory over Alabama on Saturday.
Knight scored 10 straight points to blow it open for the Wildcats (24-8), who have won seven out of eight. They will play in the SEC title game Sunday against either regular-season champion Florida or Vanderbilt.
Kentucky raced to a 37-21 halftime lead, even with Knight missing all four of his shots. Alabama (21-11) scored two quick baskets to start the second half before the freshman guard put an end to any thought of another big comeback by the Crimson Tide.
He knocked down his first two 3-pointers of the tournament, bolted into the lane for a layin and came off a screen to swish another jumper with a hand in his face, stretching Kentucky's lead to 51-30.
2011 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament
Atlanta, Georgia
Game #9 Tournament Notes
Kentucky 72 Alabama 58
Series Notes:
All-Time Series: Kentucky leads 101-36
SEC Tournament: Kentucky leads, 13-2
Season Series: Alabama won in Tuscaloosa, 68-66, on Jan. 18
Kentucky Notes:
Kentucky is now 24-8 and advances to Sunday’s championship game. This will be the Cats’ 36th time to play in the title game with a mark of 27-8.
Kentucky is 22-0 this season and 43-0 under Coach Calipari when holding the opponent to 67 or fewer points
Kentucky has won five straight SEC Tournament games over the past two years
Kentucky is 12-0 this year when shooting at least 50% from the field
It was the seventh times this season UK has had five players in double figures
Brandon Knight has now scored in double figures in 27 straight games
Josh Harrellson scored 14 points and added 10 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season.
DeAndre Liggins had 14 points, his most since Feb. 8 and tied his career high with nine.
Alabama Notes:
Alabama is now 21-11
Tony Mitchell led Bama with 16 points; he has scored in double figures 30 of 32 games this year
JaMychal Green had 12 points and nine rebounds; he has been in double figures 31 of 32 games this season