Wall's Double-Double Leads No. 3 Kentucky Past Alabama, 66-55

Freshman guard John Wall scored 22 points and pulled down a career-best 10 rebounds as No. 3 Kentucky rolled past visiting Alabama, 66-55, at Rupp Arena in Lexington Tuesday night.

DeMarcus Cousins also posted a double-double with 16 points and 13 boards for the Wildcats (23-1, 8-1 SEC), who have won four straight since suffering their lone loss of the season, a 68-62 setback at South Carolina on January 26.

Cousins, a Mobile, Ala. native, posted his seventh straight double-double to extend his Kentucky freshman record to 15 on the season.

Kentucky remains in first place in the Southeastern Conference East Division, one game ahead of Vanderbilt, which beat Tennessee on Tuesday.

Tony Mitchell had 13 points and seven rebounds to pace the Crimson Tide (13-11, 3-7), who have lost four in a row and seven of nine overall. Alabama also got 11 points and six boards from JaMychal Green.

The Crimson Tide jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the first four minutes, but Wall hit a three-pointer and Eric Bledsoe made two free throws for a 17-13 Kentucky advantage.

Alabama quickly tied the game before a Patrick Patterson dunk and a Cousins bucket gave the Wildcats the lead for good. Kentucky recovered from its early struggles and led 31-24 at halftime.

Following the break, DeAndre Liggins knocked down a trey to stretch Kentucky's margin to 42-28. The Tide whittled their deficit to 61-55 on an Anthony Brock shot from beyond the arc with about a minute to go, but the Wildcats held on down the stretch.

Patterson had nine points, while Liggins added eight with seven rebounds...Senario Hillman scored 10 points for Alabama...Kentucky improved to 15-0 at home.