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.

Sears had a tame first half against Rutgers as he scored just six points on 2-of-6 from the field plus a pair of made free throws. But something clicked in the halftime locker roo

Both coming off of OT games the night before, Alabama basketball and Rutgers meet for a late slate contest at the Players Era Festival on Wednesday.

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 hung on for a 95-90 victory over Rutgers on Wednesday night at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.