Alabama left playing 3-on-5 after bench-clearing brawl

Alabama was left with just three players, taking on the normal number of five, in Saturday's clash with Minnesota, after a bench-clearing brawl left all but five Crimson Tide players ejected.

Referees had no choice but to eject seven Alabama players who had left the bench area during a heated confrontation between Dupree McBrayer and John Petty. Those five were reduced to four when Dazon Ingram fouled out midway through the second half. That was further cut to three after Petty landed awkwardly on a jumper and had to be helped off the floor.

That left Collin Sexton, Riley Norris, and Galin Smith to close out the last eight minutes in a comically shorthanded scenario. They actually managed to cut a 74-60 lead down to as close as three points, but ultimately fell short in a 89-84 loss.

Minnesota was hesitant to press their numbers advantage, and mostly settled for open jumpers as the three Alabama players formed a triangular zone around the basket. On the other end, Minnesota played a zone defense and often double-teamed the ball, but the Crimson Tide still found consistent opportunities to score.

NCAA rules stipulate that teams can continue to play with less than five players when all others are ruled ineligible. Teams are only mandated to forfeit if there is only one player left.