The Alabama Crimson Tide secured one of its biggest wins of the season on Saturday by taking down the No. 4 Baylor Bears 87-78 in the SEC / Big 12 Challenge. Alabama received a better effort on the defensive end and on the glass, forcing 16 turnovers and outrebounding the Bears throughout the game.

One of the primary reasons for the improved effort from Alabama, the return of sophomore forward Juwan Gary.

Gary scored 15 points on 7-of-8 shots with three offensive rebounds and a block in his 27-minute return to the Tide after suffering a facial injury.

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Gary's contributions to the Tide go beyond the box score, he provides Alabama with swagger and grit however at times this year his aggression has cost him at times this year. In eight of his 17 games played this season Gary has picked up four or more fouls, limiting his availability and output for the Tide.

"We need to keep him in there, obviously, like you said, when he plays 25 plus minutes we're undefeated, he's a big part to what we're doing, we need to try to keep him in there, he brings us energy. He almost shot 100% from the field against Baylor, I think he was seven of eight, missed a wide open alley-oop that he never usually misses," said head coach Nate Oats. "You know, he gets the offensive boards, we need his presence on defense. Ya we got to keep him out of foul trouble, he's not the only one, we had some other guys with some dumb fouls, fouling jump shooters that we need to eliminate in this upcoming game."

The Crimson Tide lost its last matchup with No. 1 Auburn on January 11 81-77. Gary was limited to just six minutes against the Tigers due to early foul trouble and only contributed four points and one rebound.

If Nate Oats and company want to go into Auburn Arena and upset the top-ranked Tigers on Tuesday, keeping Gary out of foul trouble and on the floor will go a long way.

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LOOK: 20 Fascinating Photos From the First Modern Olympic Games in 1896

To celebrate the history of international sports cooperation, Stacker took a look back at that groundbreaking event in Athens, when the modern Olympics were born in 1896. Keep reading to learn more about the athletes, spectators, and sports at that iconic event.

 

 

 

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