By Loveth 
Alabama’s basketball team just made some serious history in the SEC Tournament. They crushed Kentucky 99-70, securing a spot in the semifinals and breaking a 12-game losing streak against the Wildcats in the conference tournament. This win marks the first time in 42 years that Alabama has knocked out Kentucky in the tournament, and it’s also the first time they’ve beaten them three times in a season.
The game started strong for Alabama, with them building on a 7-point halftime lead and running up the score in the second half, thanks to solid defense and some key 3-point shots. It was an impressive performance by head coach Nate Oats’ squad, especially considering Kentucky has eliminated Alabama from the tournament eight times since 2000.
Alabama’s victory also highlights how far the program has come under Oats. They’ve been to a Final Four, ranked No. 1 in the country, and won four SEC titles. As for Kentucky, they were dealing with a lot of injuries, especially in the backcourt, and Alabama made sure to take advantage of that.
Grant Nelson, an Alabama forward, reflected on how the team learned and improved every time they played Kentucky this season. With the win, Alabama now has a strong case for being one of the best teams in the nation.