KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Alabama erased a 12-point halftime deficit to edge Tennessee 71-69 in a Southeastern Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The Volunteers led 40-28 at halftime, but the Crimson Tide surged with a 43-point second half. Tennessee missed its final four field goal attempts in the closing minutes. Alabama’s Labaron Philon scored 23 points, including a go-ahead turnaround jumper with 24 seconds left. Latrell Wrightsell added 25 points for Alabama.

Tennessee’s Ja’Kobi Gillespie led all scorers with 26 points. The Volunteers dominated the offensive glass 24-6 but shot just 4 of 18 from three-point range. Alabama improved to 22-7, while Tennessee fell to 20-8.