TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- Donta Hall finished with a career-high 20 points in a 3-point loss to UCF on Saturday.
Prior to the tip, Hall last tied his previous career-high of 15 on Wednesday in a 77-74 victory over Louisiana Tech. Against UCF he also finished the game with four blocks and four rebounds in an effort that earned him zero fouls.
UCF’s lead fluctuated between one and four points in the last five minutes of the game until Collin Sexton drilled two free throws with 53 seconds left to give Alabama (6-2) a share of the lead for the first time in almost 13 minutes.
Alabama Freshman Herbert Jones was called for a foul on UCF’s ensuing possession, and AJ Davis sunk one of his two attempts from the line to give UCF (5-3) sole possession of the lead for the remainder of the game.
Tide's top performers Â
Alabama freshman John Petty didn’t start Sunday’s contest against UCF the way he wanted. He was forced to leave the game with an injury and an early foul after just over two minutes of action.
That didn’t keep the freshman out long. He answered any questions about his health when he slammed in a dunk for good measure less than five minutes after his return to the game. Petty went on to finish with 12 points despite the injury.
Dazon Ingram finished the game with six points, four assists and a team-high seven rebounds.
Jones didn’t steal the show on Sunday, but he certainly filled up the stat sheet recording four points, four assists and five steals.
It was over when Â
Petty's 3-point attempt clanged off the rim as time expired.
Prior to the attempt, Alabama called timeout with 2.8 seconds left to draw up the play.
More Notes
-Riley Norris started in place of Daniel Giddens. This was Norris’ first start of the season.
-UCF went on a 15-2 run that lasted over seven minutes in the middle of the second half to retake the lead for the first time since the opening minutes of the game.
Next up Â
Alabama will host Rhode Island (5-2) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT. Rhode Island managed to knock off No. 6 seed Creighton in the 2017 NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 3 seed Oregon by three points.
Then on Saturday, the Crimson Tide will head out west to face Arizona (5-3) at 9 p.m. CT. The Wildcats, like Rhode Island, are currently receiving votes in AP Top 25 poll.
