The 16th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide rode an eight game winning streak into Athens Georgia Tuesday night to take on the Georgia Bulldogs. The Dogs got 32 points from Kanon Catchings to lead the win over the Tide 98-88. Alabama fell to 22-8 overall and 12-5 in the SEC. Georgia improved to 21-9 overall and 9-8 in league play. Bama has one regular season game left, Saturday at home against Auburn. The Tide clinched a double bye in the upcoming SEC Tournament, and can secure the second seed by defeating
the Tigers on Saturday.
Similar to last Saturday’s victory over Tennessee, both teams started off slowly. With 15:25 left in the half the score was 8-8. At the under 12 timeout Bama led 17-15, their largest lead of the game. With 9:28 left in the half the score was tied 20-20. Things quickly changed and the Dogs scored 12 straight points to go ahead 32-20. The Tide periodically close within four or six points, and each time UGA would spurt back out to a double digit lead. Bama was within four as the first half clocked wound down. Catchings was able to knock down a contested three pointer at the buzzer to take a 50-43 lead into the locker room.
In the first half Alabama shot 12-27 for 44%, 7-14 for 50% from three range, and 12-13 at the feee throw line. The Tide had only 13 total rebounds, six assists, seven steals, and committed nine turnovers. Labaron Philon scored 14 points with three rebounds and two assists in the half. Aden Holloway added nine, shooting 7-7 at the free throw line. Alabama gathered 13 rebounds, dished out six assists, stole nine balls, and committed nine turnovers-most on terrible passes right to Dog defenders.
UGA shot 18-36 from the field with 6-18 from deep and made 8-8 at the charity stripe. The Dogs had 19 rebounds, eight on the offensive end, nine assists, two blocks, six steals, and eight turnovers. Kanon Catchings, averaging 10 points a game, poured in 20 points on 8-13 shooting. Cain Blue added nine points.
Holloway hit two threes coming out of the half to close the gap. However Georgia answered every time the Tide would close in. At the under 16 timeout UGA led by 12 at 63-51. Things went back and forth- Bama would close within six when Philon hit a three with 6:18 left, making the score 78-72. Around this time the shot clock malfunctioned and there was a 20 minute delay trying to fix it. The matience staff never could repair the problem and the game continued with the shot clock being on. Alabama closed to within six multiple times, but Catchings continued to score to make the deficit as many as 10 points down the stretch. The Tide had one last push and with 1:35 we’re down 90-85. UGA did what they needed to do to close out the game with the 10 point win.
Alabama shot only 13-37 in the second half for 35%, 6-18 from three for 32%, and made 10-11 free throws. Overall Bama shot 25-64 for 39%, 16-42 from deep for 38%, free throw shooting was great at 22-24 for 92%. The Tide finished with 30 rebounds, 13 assists, one block, 11 steals, and 10 turnovers. Philon scored 26 points on 8-16 shooting, had four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Wrightsell added 19 points on 6-12 shooting and Holloway scored 15 points with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Aiden Sherrell scored 12 points with four rebounds, four assists, one block ,and one steal. For the second straight game Amari Allen was a non factor, scoring three points with one rebound after scoring three with two rebounds in the Tennessee win.
UGA shot 17-30 in the second half with 7-11 from three point range while making 7-9 feee throws. Overall the Dogs blistered the nets at 35-66 for 53%, 13-29 from three for 45%, and 15-17 at the free throw line. Georgia had 40 rebounds, 15 assists, five blocks, seven steals, and turned it over 14 times. Catchings scored 32 with six rebounds, four assists, a block and two steals. Cain added 16 points and five rebounds. Marcus Millender scored 12 points with five rebounds and six assists.
Alabama just couldn’t ever get over the hump in this one. The 12-o run by Georgia when the score was 20-20 put the Tide in a hole that they never fully recovered from. During Bama’s eight game winning streak the team was able to comeback from double digit leads on several occasions. It is hard to win road games in the SEC, especially back to back, and after a huge comeback and emotional win Saturday in Knoxville.
Alabama hosts Auburn on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. If the Tide wins that game they will be the second seed in the SEC Tournament and would not have to meet Florida until the finals if both reach Sunday. Lose Saturday and Bama would be the third seed. The Barn game will be on ESPN.
Roll Tide
earl
