Alabama Basketball: Crimson Tide overcame itself and Vandy to win in Nashville

Jahvon Quinerly was not an Alabama Basketball starter against Vandy Tuesday night. Nate Oats went with JD Davison instead. The freshman led the Tide in first-half scoring with nine points, plus a team-high seven rebounds. Unfortunately, in 17 minutes of first-half play, Davison had five turnovers.

Early in the game, Alabama was about as bad, as a team can be in February. The Tide scored on two of its first 12 possessions. It turned the ball over on six of the possessions and missed four shots.

Vandy gradually pushed its first-half lead to nine points, and led by five at the half. Vandy led by eight points a minute and a half into the second half. Jahvon Quinerly triggered a second-half comeback. Quinerly scored 17 second-half points. James Rojas score nine and Noah Gurley added sis points. With 4:40 to go, the Tide led by 10 points. From that point until the end Scottie Pippin Jr. made 10 free throws. His teammate, Trey Thomas was fouled shooting a three. Thomas made all of the free shots. Alabama converted four free throws late to hold on to the 74-72 win.

After the game, Nate Oats was pleased,

"I was really pleased with our guys’ effort. … I think this was a character win. We had every chance to fold."

Jahvon Quinerly provided an honest assessment of why he did not start.

"[Nate Oats] wasn’t pleased with the effort I was giving to the team. That was the main reason I came off the bench. I just tried to respond the best way I could."

Speaking about Quinerly, Nate Oats said,

"I thought he really answered the bell. I’m proud of him."

To go along with Jahvon Quinerly’s much-needed second-half boost, the Crimson Tide was outstanding from the foul line the entire game. The team was 22-for-25 and 88%. Alabama needed every one of them.

The Crimson Tide might not have needed all the made foul shots, if it had not been so loose with the basketball. In the first half, the Tide had 12 turnovers and finished with 16 for the game. Around half of them were unforced errors. The Commodores scored 32 points off the Tide’s turnovers.

Alabama Basketball Player Highlights

• Jahvon Quinerly; 19 points, three assists and one rebound
• Noah Gurley; 11 points, four rebounds, three blocks and a steal
• JD Davison; 10 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals
• Keon Ellis; 10 points, eight rebounds, two steals and one assist

Three-point shooting remained a problem for the Crimson Tide at 29%, but Vandy is one of the SEC’s best teams at defending the three. Quinerly was a bright spot outside the arc, making all three of his attempts.

Now at 18-10 on the season, next up for the Crimson Tide is South Carolina in Tuscaloosa on Saturday.