TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Mark Sears scored 19 points and No. 2 Alabama survived an upset scare on Friday, beating Arkansas State 88-79. The game was tied with seven minutes left before Alabama scored 11 of the next 13 points, three of them from Sears at the free throw line.

On Friday night, No. 2 Alabama basketball battled through a tough 88-79 win over the Arkansas State Red Wolves, led by former Alabama assistant coach Bryan Hodgson. The Red Wolves didn’t make it easy, slowing the game down and pushing Alabama to dig deep to avoid a potential upset.

Here are 13 takeaways from the rematch: Alabama listed guards Labaron Philon and Mark Sears, forward Jarin Stevenson and Derrion Reid, along with center Clifford Omoruyi. Arkansas State starters included guards Derrian Ford, Taryn Todd and Terrance Ford Jr. with Rashaud Marshall and Kobe Julien at forward.

Former Alabama basketball assistant coach Bryan Hodgson was seen under the hood of Arkansas State's bus en route to Tuscaloosa on Thursday.

It certainly wasn't the best the No 2 Alabama basketball team has looked in a while, but it's how you finish that matters. Alabama finished strong Friday night against Arkansas State, overcoming a late Red Wolves rally with one of its own to take an 88-79 win at Coleman Coliseum.