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Alabama and Georgia met Saturday in a matchup of 2 teams riding different trajectories in recent weeks, and those trajectories came out in full force in Tuscaloosa.
Playing at home, the Crimson Tide were viciously efficient and showcased their full complement of weapons. Alabama finished the game shooting 52.6% from the floor and 42.3% from deep with 11 made 3-pointers while crushing Georgia, 90-69.
On the flip side, Georgia was overwhelmed from the jump and trailed 39-28 at the break and never seriously challenged. The Bulldogs shot just 35.5% from the floor and 4-for-23 (17.4% from 3-point range).
Mark Sears was fantastic in this one with 20 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds to lead all scorers. Grant Nelson also contributed a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds with 5 blocks.
Georgia’s top scorer was Asa Newell with 16 points but RJ Godfrey was the only other player to reach double figures at 10 points.
With the win, Alabama has now won 5 straight games while scoring 80+ points in each game since being held to 64 points in an upset loss to Ole Miss. Nate Oats’ team has reached 90 points 3 times in that stretch.
The victory is significant for Alabama to move to 8-1 in SEC play and stay half a game behind Auburn in the league standings. The Tide will face Arkansas and Texas — both on the road — before the first of 2 matchups against Auburn on Feb. 15. Stay tuned to our sports betting app links for the SEC and national championship odds all season long.
As for Georgia, the Bulldogs have unraveled since cracking the AP Top 25. They have now lost 5 of their last 6 games, though 4 of the losses in that time frame have come to top-10 opponents.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
