Tuscaloosa, AL (SportsNetwork.com) - Eli Carter finished with 13 points as the Florida Gators narrowly defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide, 52-50, in SEC play at Coleman Coliseum.

Chris Walker netted 12 points for the Gators (11-9, 4-3 SEC). Dorian Finney- Smith led the team in rebounding with five boards and also blocked three shots.

Rodney Cooper led Alabama (13-7, 3-4) with 14 points and five rebounds. Ricky Tarrant added to the scoring effort with 13 points. Michael Kessens was the Crimson Tide's top rebounder as he finished with eight boards.

The Gators held a comfortable 35-22 lead going into halftime. Florida knocked down 50.0 percent of its first-half field goal attempts, including 4-of-9 from 3-point distance. The Gators held Alabama to a mere eight field goals in the opening period.

The Crimson Tide improved in the second half as it converted 41.7 percent of its field goal attempts. Florida struggled offensively, as it netted 35.0 percent of its shot attempts, including a lackluster 1-of-7 mark 3-point range.

Alabama tied the game with 2:16 left at 50-50 on a Ricky Tarrant 3-pointer, but with 21 seconds remaining Finney-Smith gave the Gators a two-point lead on his only field goal of the night, resulting in the narrow victory.

Florida dominated on points in the paint (26-10) and bench points (25-9).