By: Jackson DiLullo
TUSCALOOSA, AL – The Alabama Crimson Tide managed to flip the script on the Missouri Tigers and turned a 14-point deficit into a 10-point win on Jan. 22 in Coleman Coliseum. The Crimson Tide improved to 13-6 on the season and 4-3 in SEC-play.
Alabama led for all of 5 minutes and 12 seconds after a rough first half from the field. Through the first twenty minutes, the Tide shot a lame 32.4% from the field, 27.8% from three and 64.3% at the free throw line. After a presumed legendary halftime speech from Nate Oats, Alabama posted stellar splits in the second, shooting 56.7% from the field, 44.4% from deep and 80% at the charity stripe.
It was a dazzling night for Alabama guards Jaden Shackelford, J.D. Davison and Jahvon Quinerly, who scored 21, 17 and 13 respectively. Their 51 combined points help tip the scales, but the deciding factor was the Tide’s effort on the glass; the team snatched 44 rebounds compared to Missouri’s 30. Shackelford led the team in rebounds with 7; James Rojas corralled 6 of his own.
The Tide also out-rebounded Missouri on the offensive glass, 23 to 14. Leading the team in offensive rebounds was walk-on senior Britton Johnson, whose three minutes in the first half kept the team afloat after falling behind 14-3.
Alabama stayed disciplined and remained committed to taking quality shots throughout the contest. The team continued to find success driving and passing out of the paint, specifically Quinerly. He led the team with 9 assists, he also scored 10 of his 13 points in the painted area.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will look to improve to 5-3 in SEC-play on Jan. 25, when they travel to Athens, Ga. to face the Georgia Bulldogs. Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m. CT.
