Alabama 59, Kentucky 55: Nick Jacobs scored 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting as the host Crimson Tide tamed the Wildcats in Southeastern Conference play.

Trevor Releford tallied 13 points and Levi Randolph added 11 as the Crimson Tide (12-6, 4-1 SEC) won their fourth consecutive game.

Kyle Wiltjer scored 14 points, Julius Mays added 12 on four 3-pointers and Nerlens Noel had 13 rebounds and a career-best eight blocked shots for Kentucky (12-6, 3-2). The Wildcats shot 29.6 percent in the second half while blowing a nine-point halftime lead.

Alabama opened the second half with an 11-1 burst to turn a 33-24 deficit into a one-point lead. A three-point play by Andrew Steele put the Crimson Tide ahead for good at 41-38 and Alabama outplayed the Wildcats down the stretch after Kentucky pulled within 51-50 on Wiltjer’s hoop with 2:19 left.

Kentucky led most of the first half and took an 11-point advantage on a 3-pointer by Wiltjer with 4:19 remaining. The Wildcats led 33-24 at the break.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kentucky missed its first eight second-half shots and shot 39.3 percent overall. … Alabama G Trevor Lacey left the game with 4:26 left with a leg cramp after driving for a basket. … Wildcats C Willie Cauley-Stein (knee) missed his second consecutive contest.