Alabama Basketball: Tide gutted out an ugly win over Vandy

Alabama Basketball: Crimson Tide looked at the premise ‘live by the three and die by three’ and survived in a close win over Vanderbilt.

As Alabama basketball games have gone this season, Saturday’s 82-78 win over Vandy was easiest the ugliest. The Crimson Tide was horrible from outside the arc, making only 10 of 39, three-point attempts for 26 percent.

Against tougher opposition than the Commodores, such shooting woes would have probably been too much. The Crimson Tide survived for three reasons. Although it made two or three crucial, unnecessary turnovers, the total turnovers for the Tide were just nine. A backstop for the shooting weakness was the Crimson Tide defensive effort. It was not one of the Tide’s best defensive games, but it came up with enough stops to win.

When his team needed someone to produce points, Jaden Shackelford fought his way to 12 field-goal attempts around the rim, making nine of them. Shackelford finished with 27 points.

Even Shack struggled outside the arc, making 1-of-9. The Tide’s most productive three-point shooter was Jahvon Quinerly, who made 3-of-6 and finished with 15 points. Alex Reese was the only other Tide player to make more than one three, going 2-of-5. John Petty Jr. was 1-of-7; Josh Primo, 1-of-5 and Keon Ellis made his single three-point attempt. The third Tide player scoring in double figures was Alex Reese with 10 points.

Due to foul trouble, Herbert Jones played only 19 minutes and fouled out. He scored eight points, had three rebounds and four assists. A big plus for the Crimson Tide was getting Jordan Bruner back into game action. Bruner started, played 19 minutes and gained six rebounds. Keon Ellis led the Tide in rebounding with nine in 22 minutes of play.

Vandy deserves credit for determined play throughout. The Dores’ record does not indicate Jerry Stackhouse has made much progress, but his team has lost seven SEC games by seven points or less.

Speaking after the game, Nate Oats said,

"Fortunate to get a win. Happy for the seniors on Senior Day to get a win. Proud of them for what they’ve done for the program. It’s their team.I want to highlight Alex Reese’s play. I thought he was great.We got to have our shooters make some shots. We got to get back in the gym."

Oats explained that Reese asked before the game for his starting spot to be given to senior, walk-on, Tyler Barnes. Oats started both of them on Senior Day in Tuscaloosa.

Next up for Alabama Basketball is a tough one on the road, Wednesday night against Arkansas. The Hogs have won seven straight SEC games.