The Crimson Tide lost its second consecutive game for the first time this season as it lost to No. 15 Missouri 110-98.
Missouri pounced on Alabama from the opening tip off. The Tigers started the game off with a 12-0 run to start the game and did not look back.Missouri kept their foot on the gas pedal, building a lead as high as 20 later in the first half.
Alabama did not back down, however. The Crimson Tide got the lead down to 13 before halftime and cut the deficit to as low as six points. But Alabama could not get over the hump as Missouri proceeded to go on a 9-0 run and push the lead back to 15 points.
Alabama head coach Nate Oats expressed his displeasure with the Alabama defense after surrendering a season-high on defense.
“Obviously not one of our best defensive games. You got to give them a bunch of credit, they came out ready to go,” Oats said. “Getting our guys ready to go is part of my job as head coach, and I didn’t do a very good job of it tonight.”
First half turnovers caused big problems for Alabama. The Crimson Tide turned the ball over 10 times in the first half, leading to 15 Missouri points. Alabama finished the game with 14 turnovers and was out scored 21-12 in points off turnovers.
Missouri shot the lights out all night long against Alabama. The Tigers shot 60% for the game and hit nine 3-pointers. Missouri also did their job attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line. Missouri attempted 47 free throw attempts in the game, making 31 of them.
The Alabama defense was burned all night by Missouri guards Mark Mitchell and Caleb Grill. Mitchell went 11-for-15 from the field and added eight more free throws as he scored a career-high 31 points. Grill scored 25 points on 6-for-13 shooting while he made 10 of his 11 free throws.
Perhaps the bright spot of the night for Alabama was its shooting performance. The Crimson Tide shot 54% for the game and went 13-for-31 from beyond the arc. Alabama point guard Mark Sears scored a season-high 35 points in the game. Sears shot 60% from the floor, including shooting 5-for-11 from the 3-point line.
Alabama had a slight edge in the rebound battle Wednesday night. The Crimson Tide outrebounded Missouri 33-32. Alabama forward Mouhammed Dioubate led the team with 10 rebounds in his double-double performance with 13 points.
While Dioubate’s double-double was something of note, Oats was not happy with the rebounding effort of the Crimson Tide front court trio of forwards Grant Nelson and Jarin Stevenson and center Clifford Omoruyi.
“For our entire front court to have just three, two and Jarin at four rebounds, I think they just wanted this game a little bit more tonight which is a little disappointing,” Oats said.
With the loss, Alabama pushes itself down to a tie for second place with Florida. The Crimson Tide now just have a one game lead over the No. 4 and No. 5 placed team in the standings as Alabama will continue to secure a two-day bye in the SEC Tournament.
Up next, Alabama will return home Saturday night for a rematch against Kentucky. The Crimson Tide won the first matchup in Lexington on Jan. 18 where Alabama took a 102-97 win over the Wildcats. Alabama and Kentucky will tip off at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN.
