Alabama Basketball: Crimson Tide rides Herbert Jones to comeback victory

Alabama Basketball: Herbert Jones put a struggling Crimson Tide on his back for a comeback victory over the Tennessee Vols in SEC Tournament.

Herbert Jones put the Alabama basketball team on his back in the second half Saturday afternoon. The Crimson Tide dug a first-half hole with 12 turnovers and an inability to make threes. At the break, the Tennessee Vols led 40-31, with the Tide scrambling to not be blown out.

Adding to the Tide’s first-half problems was 23.5 percent outside the arc on 4-for-17 threes. At the break, Jones had six points, three turnovers and two fouls. The Vols were also beating the Crimson Tide on the boards, 21-19. The prospects for a comeback did not look bright for the SEC regular-season Champion.

As it has learned to do throughout the season, the Alabama basketball team relied on its defense to turn the game. The Vols, who shot 47.1 percent in the first half, were held to 34.6 percent in the second half. The Crimson Tide also gained a second-half rebound edge of 23-16 boards. Most importantly, the Crimson Tide defense pushed the Vols to 11 second-half turnovers, compared to just five for the Alabama basketball team.

Herbert Jones, Jahvon Quinerly and Keon Ellis were the second-half offense for the Crimson Tide. Fueling the Tide comeback was 15 points after the break from Jones, 10 points from Quinerly and seven from Keon Ellis. Jones added seven second-half rebounds and four assists, proving why he is the SEC Player of the Year.

Jones finished the game with 21 points. The only other double-digit scorer for the Crimson Tide was Quinerly with 19 points. Jones and Ellis led the Tide in rebounds with 13 and eight boards.

The conventional wisdom about Alabama Basketball is the Crimson Tide cannot miss 21, threes and beat good teams. That is what the Crimson Tide did on Saturday. It was not the first time the Tide has won primarily on the basis of a strong defense. It is not likely to be the last.

After the game, Nate Oats complimented both teams.

"A lot of respect, a lot of credit for Tennessee for how they came out and played. I think for us, it was one of those gut-check wins where guys expect to winWe’ve got to play a lot better in the first half tomorrow or we’re going to be in some serious trouble."

The Crimson Tide also received good news on Josh Primo. The injury is a knee sprain and the freshman is expected to play again this season. He is doubtful to play on Sunday.

The SEC Championship game will be at noon on Sunday. The Crimson Tide will play the winner of Arkansas cs. LSU.