GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Alabama coach Avery Johnson is ebullient by nature. But the first-year coach had even more reasons to smile following the Crimson Tide's 61-55 win over the Florida Gators at the O'Connell Center.
Alabama snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Gators dating back to 2008, and won at the O'Dome for the first time since 1995.
The Tide did it with defense, holding Florida to a season-low 28.6 percent from the field and just 3 of 21 from 3-point range. Alabama junior center Jimmie Taylor protected the rim throughout the game, finishing with 11 points and five blocks.