NASHVILLE — The start to SEC play for Alabama basketball certainly could have been better.

Turnovers popped up a bit too often, shots didn't fall at times and Alabama found ways to keep letting Vanderbilt stay in the game. There's no better word to describe the Crimson Tide's play at times than sloppy.

But when it was all said and done, and the final buzzer blared, Alabama still managed to start SEC play with a victory. The Crimson Tide outlasted the Commodores 78-75 on Saturday at Memorial Gymnasium.

Here are observations and takeaways from the game between Alabama (9-5, 1-0 SEC) and Vanderbilt (5-9, 0-1) at Memorial Gymnasium.

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Alabama starts strong then sputters to halftime

The Crimson Tide can play at a high level. The problem is, it doesn't happen on a consistent basis.

One moment, Alabama was draining shot after shot. The next, it was clinging to a lead before halftime. Early against the Commodores, the Crimson Tide grabbed a 33-15 lead, thanks in large part to its shooting from beyond the arc. Then, Alabama let up while Vanderbilt got going.

By halftime, the Crimson Tide only led 40-36. The Commodores went on a 21-7 run to end the half, which Alabama turnovers helped fuel. The Crimson Tide committed four of them over the last 4:40 of play before the break, with eight total before halftime.

Alabama finished the game with 16 turnovers.

Mark Sears finishes for Alabama

Alabama coach Nate Oats has stressed how the Crimson Tide need to find a way to finish and close out games. That problem has cost Alabama in some big games this season.

Mark Sears took his coach's words to heart. The senior guard played a key role in Alabama closing out the win. He scored 14 points in the second half and also grabbed three rebounds and two steals. At one point, he knocked down four straight baskets in the final ten minutes.

Sears has frequently proven he is Alabama's motor. The game against Vanderbilt was no different. He finished the game with 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.

What's next?

Alabama will play its SEC home opener against South Carolina on Tuesday at Coleman Coliseum. Then the Crimson Tide will be back on the road facing Mississippi State on Saturday in Starkville.

Nick Kelly is the Alabama beat writer for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network, and he covers Alabama football and men's basketball. Reach him at nkelly@gannett.com or follow him @_NickKelly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball: Crimson Tide sloppy but beats Vanderbilt