SEC Network provides injury update on Mark Sears

The Alabama basketball team suffered an injury blow in the first half of a game against Missouri when leading scorer Mark Sears went down following an awkward landing.

Sears exited the game and did not return in the first half.

“You know what, he’s back with our trainer,” coach Nate Oats told the SEC Network broadcast crew at halftime. “I’m not sure. I’m not sure. I’ve got to get back there and see what’s going on with him.”

After halftime, the SEC Network provided another update.

“Yeah I’m being told Mark Sears obviously dealing with that ankle injury, but he is probable to come back, so worth keeping an eye on him,” sideline reporter Alyssa Lang said.

Sears was dribbling to his right near the top of the arc when he attempted to make a pass into the lane by splitting a pair of Missouri defenders.

As he went up in between Jordan Butler and Tamar Bates, Sears came down awkwardly on his lower half. He got up and began limping immediately, then left the game to be tended to by a trainer.

After a while, Sears returned to the floor with his leg wrapped, according to Lang.

Mark Sears had scored just two points on 1-of-5 shooting in the game prior to his injury. He had dished out five assists, though, contributing to the game even though he wasn’t scoring like he normally does.

Alabama led 36-34 at the break after maintaining a larger lead for most of the first half.

“I mean we’ve got to take care of the ball,” Oates said. “The turnovers are killing us and we had a bad start and a bad close. We’ve got to have better starts and finishes to the halves in games.”

Alabama had eight turnovers in the first half, and Missouri had scored six points off those turnovers. Both teams were relatively even in those categories.

In fact, the teams were relatively even in most major statistical categories at the break.

Alabama entered the game on a five-game winning streak, while Missouri entered on a three-game losing streak. The Tigers have lost six of their last seven.