What we learned as Georgia upsets Alabama basketball

By: WVUA 23 Digital Reporter AJ Holliday

Alabama basketball traveled to Athens to take on the Georgia Bulldogs, and the Bulldogs upset the Crimson Tide 82-76 on Tuesday. Alabama fell to 13-7, 4-4 SEC while Georgia earned its first conference win of the season, improving to 6-14, 1-6 SEC.

Jaden Shackelford led the Tide in scoring with 20 points on 6-for-10 from the three-point line. Keon Ellis pitched in with 15,  and Noah Gurley scored 11 points.

The Crimson Tide led at halftime 42-36, but the Bulldogs outscored Bama in the second-half, 46-34. It was a back-and-forth game, but turnovers and fouls cost the Tide late in the game.

Here’s what we learned:

Late fouls cost the game

Alabama was within two possessions late in the game, but fouls hurt the Tide as Georgia got into the bonus, and finished 24-for-30 from the free-throw line, including going 18-for-19 from the line in the second half.

Someone other than Jaden Shackelford must step up

Jaden Shackelford led the Tide and scoring and also shot the best from the three-point line, a trend of this season. The rest of the team shot just 3-for-23 from behind the arc. Jahvon Quinerly’s shooting woes continued as he finished the game 2-for-9 from the field, and 1-for-7 from three. If the Tide want to go on a deep run in March, other players must shoot the ball better.

Alabama must play better against lesser opponents

This loss for Alabama is a bad one. The Crimson Tide have been inconsistent much of the season, playing well against good teams, and playing poor against teams they are favorited to beat. They have struggled to pull away from teams in the first half, the Tide found themselves up 1 point against Jacksonville State at halftime, trailed Missouri by 4 Saturday, and only led the Bulldogs by 6. Bama must come into the game with better energy, defense and focus.

What’s next

Alabama returns to Coleman Coliseum Saturday to take on the No. 4 Baylor Bears; tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.