By: Sean Cartell
Twitter: @SEC_Sean
SEC Digital Network
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NASHVILLE – Levi Randolph scored 15 points Friday, Trevor Releford added 14 and fourth-seeded Alabama eased past fifth-seeded Tennessee 58-48 on Thursday at the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals at Bridgestone Arena.
Alabama (21-11) advances to face top-seeded Florida (25-6) in the SEC Tournament semifinals at 1 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC.
The Crimson Tide shot 41.3 percent (19-of-46) from the field, while the Vols shot 32.1 percent (18-of-56) from the floor. Tennessee out-rebounded Alabama 37-35. The Crimson Tide went 15-of-19 from the free-throw line.
Randolph’s 15 points came on 5-of-9 shooting, while Releford’s 14 came on 4-of-9 shooting with a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Nick Jacobs added six points and a team-high 13 rebounds.
Tennessee (20-12) was led by a game-high 16 points from Josh Richardson, while Jarnell Stokes turned in a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
Tennessee-Alabama Series Notes:
All-Time Series: Alabama leads 76-66
In SEC Tournament Games: Alabama leads 10-5
Earlier this Season: the teams split two games in January, with Alabama winning 68-65 in Tuscaloosa and Tennessee winning 54-53 in Knoxville
Game Notes:
• The teams battled evenly in the first half, with no more than four points separating them throughout the opening period. Alabama’s Trevor Releford hit a three-pointer with four seconds left to send the Crimson Tide to a 31-27 advantage at intermission.
• Tennessee got the first four points of the second half to tie the game at 31 but Alabama led the rest of the way.
• Ahead 44-41, Alabama went on a 6-0 run for a 50-41 lead.
• Tennessee responded with five straight to get within 50-46 but Alabama closed the game with an 8-2 run for the win.
Tennessee Notes:
• Tennessee is 20-12 and the Volunteers won nine of their last 11 games.
• Josh Richardson paced Tennessee with 16 points, including 12 in the second half. It was the most points he had scored since tallying 16 vs. Mississippi State on Jan. 19
• Jarnell Stokes collected 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Stokes has 15 double-doubles on the season, tying for the most in the SEC.
Alabama Notes:
• Alabama is 21-11 and has won two in a row.
• Alabama limited Tennessee to 48 points. Alabama has held 21 opponents under 60 points this season, including 14 of its last 17 games vs. SEC opponents. Alabama is 17-4 when keeping the opponent under 60.
• Levi Randolph led Alabama with 15 points.
• Trevor Releford followed with 14 points. He has averaged 19.3 points over the last seven games.
• Nick Jacobs grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds, his third double-figure rebounding game of the season.