Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears led the way with 24 points on the evening, but his 18-point second-half effort with three-made 3-point shots kept Alabama alive for the Player's Era

Here are three takeaways from the tournament game between No. 9 Alabama basketball and Rutgers as part of the Players Era Festival bracket.

Mark Sears scored 24 points and No. 9 Alabama defeated Rutgers 95-90 on Wednesday night in the Players Era Festival at MGM Grand Garden.

Maybe it was because of the upcoming holiday or maybe it was overlooking an opponent not known as well as the Yellowjackets. Whichever, UC coach Wes Miller was stung by his team's effort against the Hornets.

After their first power conference opponent in Atlanta, the Cincinnati Bearcats basketball squad gets another home game in when they host Alabama State at Fifth Third Arena Wednesday night. Avoiding the sting of the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets with a 23-point win Saturday,