Alabama Basketball: Tigers too much for the Tide in Baton Rouge

Alabama basketball lost the momentum from the big victory over Kentucky by losing to LSU in Baton Rouge on Tuesday night.

After Alabama basketball upset Kentucky in Tuscaloosa, there was enthusiasm and hope for a second SEC win in Baton Rouge. The Crimson Tide lost by nine, 88-79 and closed the deficit to four points late, but the game was lost in the first half.

LSU started the game cold but the Crimson Tide could not take advantage. Shots outside the arc was a first-half problem. The Tide only took eight first-half threes but it made just two. LSU, however, was raining threes from everywhere, making eight of ten, including two treys that went in off the bank. But it wasn’t just luck for LSU, the Tide’s perimeter defense was lacking.

Compounding the Tide’s first-half problems were three turnovers in the last 2:22. Meanwhile, LSU made two of its eight, first-half threes in the last 38 seconds. Alabama basketball coach, Avery Johnson continued his perplexing player rotation pattern, using 10 Crimson Tide players in the game’s first eight minutes. Alex Reese was the Tide’s leading scorer in the first-half with eight points. Reese got five shots in 12 minutes of play. Four more Alabama basketball players got only four first-half shots. It is hard for jump shooters to find a rhythm when shooting so infrequently. As long as Avery continues his player rotation revolving door, shooting rhythm will be difficult to establish.

The second-half was better for the Tide. To Avery’s credit, his squad kept fighting. They just did not play well offensively. One seasoned Alabama basketball observer described the Tide offense as “awful.”

Still, the Tide fought back, cutting the LSU lead to four points with 1:46 left in the game. It was all LSU from then until the finish. Late in the game, Alabama basketball’s field goal shooting was only 1-for-13.

Alabama basketball finished the game making 40 percent of its field goals, while LSU shot 49 percent. The Tide made threes at a 29 percent clip while LSU was 67 percent outside the arc. The Tide gained slight advantages in free throw shooting, turnovers and rebounds.

The Tide was led in scoring by Kira Lewis with 15 points, followed by Alex Reese with 12 points and Herbert Jones with 10 points and five assists. John Petty had a tough night shooting but he was the leading rebounder with eight boards and added three assists.

The loss was disappointing but not unexpected. Next up for the Crimson Tide is a home game against the TAMU Aggies on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. It is a game the Crimson Tide should win,