College basketball

SEC: Tide's nearly perfect first half helps halt Vols' win streak

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Ronald Steele had 22 points and nine assists to lead Alabama past No.8 Tennessee 92-79.

The Vols were trying to win nine consecutive conference games for the first time since 1981-82 and equal their quickest trip to 20 wins. Instead, the Tide boosted its NCAA Tournament hopes with their seventh consecutive win over the Vols.

The Tide scored 14 in a row en route to a 29-7 run, building a 50-30 lead. Alabama was 19-of-25 from the field during the first half, including 6-of-10 on 3-pointers. The Tide also had four dunks.

The Tide even had some good luck at the end. With 3.4 seconds left, Evan Brock launched a fullcourt inbounds pass to Jermareo Davidson. Ryan Childress committed a foul trying to keep the ball out of his hands, and Davidson, who finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds, made two free throws for a 57-41 lead.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Patrick Sparks made six second-half 3-pointers and scored a season-high 26 to lead Kentucky past South Carolina 79-66. It was the Wildcats' second straight win after a three-game losing streak.

Sparks made 1 of 6 3-pointers in a win against Georgia on Wednesday and missed both attempts in the first half Saturday. His first made 3-pointer put Kentucky ahead to stay, 33-30, 2:07 in. He followed with his only 2-pointer of the half and another 3-pointer. A minute later, another Sparks 3-pointer made it a 12-point game.

Sheray Thomas' basket, which made it 53-39, capped a 25-9 run during which the Wildcats made 10 of 12 field goals.

NO. 25 LSU 65, AUBURN 61: Glen Davis had 24 points and 11 rebounds for visiting LSU. Tasmin Mitchell scored his only two with 30 seconds left, breaking a tie at 61. Quantez Robertson missed a 3-pointer with seven seconds left for Auburn, and Ronny LeMelle missed a jumper three seconds later. Darrell Mitchell then sealed it with two free throws.

VANDY 72, GEORGIA 55: The visiting Commodores opened the second half with a 14-4 run to pull away. Shan Foster, who led Vanderbilt with 23 points, scored its first eight of the half. His basket 3:24 in made it 44-32, and the Commodores stretched it to 66-46 with 7:56 left.

Before the game, Georgia freshman guards Mike Mercer (second-leading scorer) and Billy Humphrey (fifth) were suspended. Coach Dennis Felton did not disclose why but said they will return Thursday against South Carolina.

MISS. ST. 84, OLE MISS 55: Jamont Gordon scored 17 and Reginald Delk and Dietric Slater 16 for the host Bulldogs. Up 38-29 early in the second half, Delk's 3-pointer started a 19-0 run. He made two more during the run, and the Rebels didn't get closer than 25 from there.

[Last modified February 19, 2006, 01:09:21]