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Florida holds on for road win over Alabama

 
Florida forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) rebounds over Alabama forward Mike Kessens (3) during an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/AL.com, Vasha Hunt) MAGS OUT   ALBIN401
Florida forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) rebounds over Alabama forward Mike Kessens (3) during an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/AL.com, Vasha Hunt) MAGS OUT ALBIN401
Published Jan. 28, 2015

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dorian Finney-Smith threw down a thunderous dunk with 21 seconds left to lift Florida to a 52-50 win over Alabama on Tuesday night.

The Crimson Tide had battled back from a 13-point halftime deficit to tie, but the Gators (11-8, 4-3 SEC) recovered to snap a three-game losing streak.

After Florida took the lead, Alabama called timeout with 17 seconds left, but Levi Randolph's shot close to the goal was blocked by Finney-Smith. Finney-Smith also blocked a Michael Kessens shot down low on the Tide's previous possession.

"It was a little anger, I struggled tonight, but my teammates did a good job staying together when adversity came," Finney-Smith told ESPN after the game.

Alabama (13-7, 3-4) tied the score at 50 with 2:12 left on Ricky Tarrant's 3-pointer.

The Tide opened the second half with a 19-6 run to tie the score at 41, aided by seven turnovers and 3-of-12 shooting by Florida. Tarrant scored Alabama's final seven of the run.

Florida coach Billy Donovan beat his former assistant, Alabama coach Anthony Grant, for the ninth straight time. The Gators have won 10 straight overall against the Crimson Tide.

Eli Carter led Florida with 13 points and Chris Walker scored 12. Rodney Cooper led Alabama with 14 points.