Jahmai Mashack buried a 30-foot game-winning jump shot as time expired to catapult Tennessee basketball to a 79-76 win over Alabama.
It was the clutch shot the Vols had to have in a win they needed for a shot at No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Entering the game, Tennessee was projected as the top No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament in Joe Lunardi’s bracketology, and Alabama was clinging to a projected No. 1 seed.
The Vols made a strong case to jump to the No. 1 line with their third win over a top-10 team in the past eight games (Florida, Texas A&M). Selection Sunday will be March 16.
They also strengthened their hold on a double bye in the SEC Tournament.
Chaz Lanier and Jordan Gainey led UT with 18 points apiece. Zakai Zeigler had 15 points. Mashack scored 11, but none bigger than his buzzer-beater.
UT finishes the regular season at Ole Miss on Wednesday (9 p.m. ET, ESPN2) and against South Carolina (xxx) on March 8 (2 p.m. ET, SEC Network) at Food City Center.
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Tennessee vs Alabama score updates
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Tennessee vs Alabama live stream options
Tennessee vs. Alabama is streaming on ESPN. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Tennessee vs Alabama injury updates
UT forward J.P. Estrella is out for the season due to surgery on a left foot injury that started in the offseason.
Alabama freshman forward Derrion Reid was out against Mississippi State. Guards Houston Mallette (knees) and Latrell Wrightsell (Achilles tendon) have been sidelined for most of the season.
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Record: 23-5, 10-5 SEC
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Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee basketball vs Alabama score today: Jahmai Mashack buzzer-beater beats Tide
