A streak of bad luck appears to have struck Alabama basketball.

The No. 4 Crimson Tide has experienced a series of unfortunate events leading up to Kentucky, which might be why Vegas sees Alabama (21-5, 10-3 SEC) as an overwhelming favorite to get back on track this weekend against the No. 21 Wildcats.

Yet, Nate Oats and company enter the game looking for their first lead since Feb. 11 at Texas. Also, the team could be shorthanded, with a new star at risk of being sidelined and one day short of practice due to travel troubles.

All that can make a two-game losing streak feel like five. On Saturday, Mark Pope and the ‘Cats will be a tall test for the Crimson Tide’s mental fortitude.

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Muscle Shoals, Ala. native Mark Sears led the Crimson Tide with 30 points, supported by a 19-point performance by Auburn transfer Aden Holloway.

Kentucky matched Alabama’s four double-digit scorers with four of its own, but found itself denied by points off of turnovers for Alabama and rebounds.

Big man Cliff Omoruyi owned the glass for the Crimson Tide with 15 rebounds of Alabama’s 39 total.

Score updates, game highlights for Alabama basketball vs Kentucky

Late threes for Alabama basketball seal Kentucky sweep

A couple of late threes for USF transfer Chris Youngblood with a third and final 3-pointer from Mark Sears extended the Crimson Tide’s lead to 94-79.

Despite a hot start beyond the arc from Kentucky, Alabama ended up narrowly outshooting the ‘Cats from the perimeter, making 35% (11-for-31) of shots to about 34% for UK, who went 9-for-26.

Wildcats getting taken down by turnovers late

A Youngblood 3-pointer gave Alabama a 75-66 lead with 7:32 to play.

Like points in the paint, the Crimson Tide is dominating Kentucky in points off of turnovers with 19. Alabama has 13 turnovers to 11 for UK, but the ‘Cats have only scored nine points off of UA’s miscues.

Kentucky catching up to Crimson Tide with 10 minutes to go

What was an 11-point lead for Alabama has dwindled down to just one possession with a little over 10 minutes on the clock. Successful attempts from downtown for Sears and Aden Holloway would’ve been helpful, but both shots were denied by the rim and couldn’t answer UK forward Andrew Carr’s trey that saw the ‘Cats trail, 63-60.

Alabama starts second half with double-digit advantage

Finding nifty ways to draw fouls as usual, Sears put up five of Alabama’s six second-half points from the free throw line, continuing his perfect performance to give the Crimson Tide a 53-42 lead with 17 minutes to go.

Crimson Tide recovers for halftime lead over Kentucky

After splashing his fourth 3-pointer of the evening, a fired up Aden Holloway let out a scream and rushed into the arms of teammate Houston Mallette to celebrate. Despite shooting just about 26% beyond the arc in the first period, Alabama had just notched a 47-38 lead with 32.5 seconds to halftime.

To start the game, the Crimson Tide couldn’t buy a board if it wanted to. Heading into the locker room, Alabama is out-rebounding Kentucky 23-17 with seven on offense.

Jarin Stevenson reclaims lead for Alabama in first half

Fans in Coleman Coliseum held their breath after Jarin Stevenson got a defensive board and made his way for the basket. The pregnant pause exploded into a roaring cheer after the sophomore’s layup gave Alabama a 31-32 lead with 5:18 to halftime.

Making all four of its last field goal attempts, including shots for Mo Dioubate and Aden Holloway, Alabama has gone on a 20-4 run in the last five minutes.

Crimson Tide within three points of tying scoreboard vs Kentucky

To put Alabama just three points away from tying the scoreboard at 30, freshman Labaron Philon showed off his quick hands with a pass in the paint to Dioubate for a dunk. The Crimson Tide has 16 points in the paint with 7:18 to halftime. Meanwhile, Kentucky has 12 while shooting 50% from deep.

Aden Holloway not letting Wildcats run away with quick start

Holloway’s effort didn’t stop after another missed 3-pointer with about 12 minutes to go in the first period.

The Auburn transfer sprinted down the court for a board to regain possession for the Crimson Tide, which trails, 20-16, after another dunk from big man Clifford Omoruyi on the play with the assist from Philon.

Alabama getting killed by Kentucky rebounds early

The sophomore Holloway’s 3-point shot bounced off the rim and into the hands of Kentucky’s Otega Oweh, who found Brandon Garrison for a dunk on the fast-break with under 15 minutes to halftime.

The basket moved the lead to 20-9 for Kentucky, killing the Crimson Tide off the glass with seven rebounds to two for Alabama early.

Kentucky establishes first-half lead in Coleman Coliseum

Four 3-pointers for UK see the Cats with an early 14-6 lead in Coleman Coliseum. Andrew Carr wanted a chance to show fans what he looks like healthy against Alabama, and so far he’s shown out for a couple treys.

Mark Sears assist puts Alabama on the board

Kentucky won tip, but the Crimson Tide held the Cats scoreless until senior Mark Sears found Omoruyi, who dunked in Alabama’s first points of the game 29 seconds in.

The 2-0 lead marked Alabama’s first since Feb. 11 against the Longhorns.

Starting lineups announced for Crimson Tide vs Wildcats

Alabama returns its revised starting lineup of Labaron Philon, Mark Sears, Chris Youngblood, Grant Nelson and Cliff Omoruyi.

Kentucky starts Otega Oweh, Koby Brea, Travis Perry, Andrew Carr and Amari Williams.

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