Alabama erases double-digit half-time deficit to beat Georgia, stay on top in SEC
Alabama was in trouble on Wednesday, but No. 24 UA leaves Georgia with a victory to stay on top in the SEC standings. No. 24 The Crimson Tide (15-6, 7-1 SEC) erased a 14-point deficit in the second half to come away with an 85-76 win over the Bulldogs (14-7, 4-4 SEC).
UGA, now in Year 2 with Mike White, has been a tough out for many SEC teams this season. The Dawgs dominated UA from 3-point range (7-of-13 to 2-of-11) and on the glass (27 rebounds to 7) in the first half to notch a 41-27 lead at the break.
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Alabama made up for its lowest-scoring half of the season by exploding for 58 points in the second half. Mark Sears, Grant Nelson and Rylan Griffen all scored in double figures in the second half.
Sears led the way with 19 points in the final 20 minutes, finishing with a team-high 23 points. Sears was 8-of-14 from the field, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range. He also led the Tide in rebounds and assists with 5 each.
Nelson had 20 points, scoring 14 in the second half. He was particularly effective with the 3-ball, drowning a pair of triples with less than 2 minutes to go to Alabama’s lead to 76-71 and 79-73.
Georgia is left wondering what went wrong. The Bulldogs led for over 33 minutes of game time. UGA’s last lead was 64-61 with 6:07 to go. The game was tied for 1:45 and Alabama led for 4:22.
Alabama’s offense got off to a slow start, but once Nate Oats’ squad woke up, the Tide took control. UA shot 62.5% in the second half to finish 53.3% for the game. Georgia’s shooting was a more steady 44.8% in the second half and 44.3% for the game. The Dawgs went 0-for-4 on 3-point attempts in the second half.
In the second-half comeback, the Tide picked up box score wins when it came to rebounds (19-12), fast break points (8-0), steals (5-3) and turnovers (3-8).