With Mark Sears on the bench for the entire second half, the Crimson Tide squeaked past the Tigers to remain in the hunt for the SEC title.

LSU men's basketball fell 80-73 to No.4 Alabama but put forth an effort that proved its toughness and that it can play well against anybody.

Still, Alabama was just too much as the Crimson Tide's depth eventually wore LSU out, and an 8-0 run in the final four minutes ended any hope of an upset. Alabama is now 6-1 in SEC play and sitting right there with rival Auburn.

The conversation kicks off by acknowledging Alabama's 80-73 win over LSU. The Crimson Tide were surprised on the glass and out rebounded by the Tigers, which kept the visitors in the game. Alabama turned up the second half defense and made sure the game went in their favor. How important was it to protect home court?

When Alabama basketball came out for the second half of Saturday’s win over LSU, regular starting point guard Mark Sears wasn’t on the floor. The Muscle Shoals native did not appear in the entire second half, during which the Crimson Tide pulled off a 80-73 victory after the game was tied at 40 entering halftime.

Just days after reaching the 2,500 point milestone, Alabama guard Mark Sears was benched in the 2nd half against LSU

Mark Sears' mother, Lameka, thanked NFL legend Emmitt Smith for his message to her son after getting benched as Alabama basketball faced LSU.

The No. 4 Crimson Tide took down the Tigers in a tough home battle that remained in the single-digits for a heavy majority of the game.