Alabama took the early lead in the SEC basketball race Tuesday night when it beat visiting Florida 86-71. The teams entered the game with 2-0 conference records, and with the victory the Tide stands alone atop the SEC standings, a half-game ahead of Kentucky.

It was the second big win in as many outings for the Crimson Tide (8-3, 3-0), who knocked off then-No. 7 and undefeated Tennessee on Saturday. Alabama has won four in a row.

Alabama had five players scoring in double figures led by three players with 16 points -- senior Herbert Jones, junior Keon Ellis, and sophomore Jaden Shackleford. Also in double figures for the Tide, which shot 46.3 percent from the floor, were James Rojas (15) and John Petty Jr. (12).

Florida (5-2, 2-1) entered the game on the verge of cracking the AP Top 25, as it sat 26th just behind No. 25 Florida State. But the Tide is now the team that will take a run at a national ranking, after outscoring the Gators 46-28 in the paint, and holding Florida to just 39.7 percent shooting.

Junior guard Tyree Appleby led the Gators with 18 points while junior Colin Castleton added 13 and eight rebounds.

Alabama used defense and controlled the game inside in the first half to take a 39-32 lead into the locker room.

The Tide had five players scoring six or more in the half while Florida was led by Castleton nine points and five rebounds. Alabama got 17 points from their bench, compared to only six for the Gators.

In the second half, it was more of the same. Much more.

Florida has been experiencing an emotional season. Last month, leading scorer Keyontae Johnson collapsed on the floor in a game against Florida State. He remained in the hospital for 10 days but has returned to the program as an assistant coach and was on the bench against Alabama.

The Gators, who shutdown all activities and postponed four games after Johnson's collapse, had won both games since they resumed play.

Next up for the Gators will be a home game against Kentucky on Saturday, when the Tide will hit the road for Auburn.

--Field Level Media