Jaden Shackelford scored 21 points as Alabama rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat visiting Missouri 86-76 Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
JD Davison scored 17 points and Jahvon Quinerly added 13 for the Crimson Tide (13-6, 4-3 SEC).
Jarron Coleman scored 17 for the Tigers (8-10, 2-4), who have lost five of their last seven games. Amari Davis, Javon Pickett and DaJuan Gordon each added 12 points.
Alabama has won back-to-back games after a three-game losing streak that began with its road loss to Missouri on Jan. 8.
The Crimson Tide missed 18-of-27 shots from 3-point range but overcame that cold shooting with 23 offensive rebounds. Alabama also outscored Missouri 21-3 at the free-throw line.
Missouri started fast, just as it did against the Crimson Tide two weeks earlier at home. Trevon Brazile got the Tigers started with a steal and dunk, then Gordon and Coleman fueled a 12-0 run with 3-point jumpers.
Coleman’s floater in the lane pushed Missouri’s lead to 21-7 with 11:39 left in the half.
Shackelford’s four-point play — a 3-point jumper plus a free throw — finally got the Crimson Tide rolling. That play sparked an 18-4 Alabama surge that tied the game at 25.
Missouri responded with a 7-2 run keyed by Coleman’s 3-point jumper and finished the half with a 40-36 lead.
Ronnie DeGray III powered a 19-6 run with two 3-point jumpers and a floater in the lane as Missouri pushed its lead to 63-49 with 13:54 left.
Quinerly’s three slicing drives to the basket started Alabama’s rally. His steal and lay-up cut the lead to 69-63 and brought the crowd to its feet.
Davison’s 3-point jumper and another steal and lay-up by Quinerly finally pulled the Crimson Tide even at 73-73.
Alabama outscored the Tigers 13-3 from there to seal the victory.
–Field Level Media