By Jackson DiLullo
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama Crimson Tide bounced back in a big way tonight against the Ole Miss, dropping the Rebels 97-83. The Tide improve to 15-9 on the season and 5-6 in the SEC.
Alabama struggled mightily from beyond against No. 1 Auburn (37.8%, 14-37) and No. 5 Kentucky (10%, 3-30), but found their comfort zone against the Rebels; the Tide shot a practically perfect 63.6% (14-22) from three and 60% (36-60) from the field overall. They also shot a respectable 73.3% (11-15) from the free throw line.
It was a dazzling night for Jaden Shackelford who led the team in scoring with a career-high 30 (10-17 FG, 8-13 3PT) points. Not to be outdone, freshman J.D. Davison turned in the best game of his young career; he scored 18 (7-8 FG, 2-2 3PT) points and tied with Jahvon Quinerly for the team-high in assists with eight. Noah Gurley led the team in rebounds with seven.
As a matter of fact, guards Shackelford, Davison, Quinerly and Keon Ellis combined for 70 points. Alabama’s guards shot a combined 56.7% (26-41) from the field and were the driving force of tonight’s rout.
The Crimson Tide started slow in Oxford and found themselves down 19-30 with 9:29 to go in the 1st half. After a Keon Ellis and-one, the Tide caught fire and went on a 30-8 run to close the half.
Ole Miss battled hard and cut the lead to just three with 16:50 left in the 2nd half. Ultimately, they couldn’t survive Alabama’s stellar shooting and collapsed en route to a 97-83 blowout. The Alabama Crimson Tide badly needed a win to gain some confidence in the latter half of the season; they got one tonight in Oxford against the Ole Miss Rebels.
Next up, Alabama hosts a surging Arkansas team fresh off the heels of an improbable 80-76 upset win against No. 1 Auburn. Tipoff is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CST.
