TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) John Petty made five 3-pointers and scored 18 points to help Alabama knock off No. 5 Texas A&M 79-57 on Saturday night in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

The Crimson Tide (9-4) rebounded from a lackluster performance against Texas to easily upset the short-handed Aggies (11-2). Texas A&M matched its highest ranking in the AP poll this week after a four-game winning streak but got off to a rough start in league play.

Alabama big man Donta Hall had 17 points and six rebounds as four players accounted for 67 points. Collin Sexton, the SEC's leading scorer, had 16 points. He was just 3-of-12 shooting but missed only once in 10 foul shots. Dazon Ingram also had 16 points, along with six rebounds and three assists.

The Aggies were without leading scorer DJ Hogg, serving the second of a three-game suspension for violating school policy. With starting guard Admon Gilder also out with a knee injury, the Aggies struggled offensively.

Tyler Davis and Robert Williams both had 14 points for the Aggies. Williams added eight rebounds and Davis six. The Aggies didn't make a field goal over the final 5:24, missing nine in a row.

Petty hit two 3-pointers in a 20-second span to give Alabama a 57-41 lead six minutes into the second half. The Aggies cut it back to single digits before Alabama started an 11-1 spurt with Hall's layup to reclaim control of the game.

Alabama had another big momentum swing earlier in the half. Texas A&M's Davis was called for a flagrant foul trying to keep Sexton from an easy layup. Sexton went to the bench in pain while officials reviewed the play, before changing the call to a flagrant.

Sexton stayed in and hit both free throws to start a quick 8-0 Alabama run.

Alabama had closed the first half on a four-minute scoring drought, allowing the Aggies to cut a 12-point deficit down to 35-28.

Texas A&M's Duane Wilson appeared to hurt his right leg with about 7 minutes left in the game, staying in it before crumpling to the court with the first clock stoppage. He scored nine points.

The two teams meet again in the regular season finale.

BIG PICTURE

Texas A&M: The Aggies missed all 10 3-point attempts in the first half and finished 2 of 21. Shot 30 percent (21 of 70) from the floor.

Alabama: Made 26 of 57 shots (45.6 percent) against the fourth-rated defense in field goal percentage (36.1 percent allowed).

NORRIS OUT

Riley Norris, Alabama's most experienced player, is out for the season with a hip injury. Coach Avery Johnson announced before the game that Norris will have surgery Friday morning. He has started 57 games in his career and played in 110, averaging 4.8 points this season.

UP NEXT

Texas A&M: Hosts Florida on Tuesday night.

Alabama: At Vanderbilt on Tuesday night.

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