Alabama
13-10,5-5SEC
Georgia
12-11,2-8SEC
Kira Lewis Jr.'s Career High 37 Points Fuels Alabama in Thrilling 105-102 Overtime Victory at Georgia
2/8/2020 8:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Alabama scored the most points in a true road game in program history
ATHENS, Ga. – The Alabama men's basketball team defeated the Georgia Bulldogs, 105-102, in overtime Saturday night at Stegeman Coliseum. With the win, the Crimson Tide (13-10, 5-5) notched the most points scored in a true road game in program history, toppling the former record of 102 points set on two different occasions.
The 207 combined points scored marked the third-most in the Alabama record books and the most combined points between UA and an opponent since 1971.
Sophomore Kira Lewis Jr. poured in a season-high 37 points on 12-of-21 shooting from the field, 3-of-6 from deep, and 10-of-15 from the charity stripe. It was his second 30-point game of the season (had 30 points in the season-opener against Penn) and his team-leading seventh game of 20 or more points. He scored 25 of his game total in the second half and overtime. Junior John Petty finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
Three other Crimson Tide players reached double figures as redshirt freshman Javian Davis finished with 13 points and eight boards, graduate senior Beetle Bolden added 11 points, six rebounds and four assists and freshman Jaden Shackelford collected 10 points, marking his seventh consecutive double-digit scoring game.
Georgia was led by Sahvir Wheeler who finished with 24 points and a game-high eight assists, while Rayshaun Hammonds added 20. Freshman sensation Anthony Edwards was held in check for the most part as the league's second-leading scorer finished with 14 points and a game-high 12 boards on the night.
Coach Nate Oats Postgame Comments
"This was a tough road win that we needed badly after giving away the two straight games at home. I thought our guys showed a lot of character. To come in here and fight like we did on the road was great for our guys. We gave up a big run to start the second half, but the guys got it back together. I thought the chatter in the timeouts was good from our guys. We have some good leadership from our leaders. It was great to get a road win. I know Petty and Kira would love to go 100 percent from the line, but they made enough free throws for us to get the win. I am really proud of those two. I thought Petty's defense on Edwards was great and Kira was a floor general tonight – probably the best he has played all year to be honest with you. We showed a lot of fight. Georgia is a good team and showed a lot of fight, too. I know Edwards was a little under the weather and he played big minutes for them which turned it into a really good game for both teams. We are fortunate to walk out tonight with win."
Team Stats
- In addition to his career high scoring night, Lewis also made a career-best 12 field goals
- It marked the first time the Tide has scored 80 or more points in a game since doing so against Missouri on Jan. 18
- Alabama has now scored 80 or better in 12 of its 23 games played on the year, just six shy of the school record of 17 set on three separate seasons (1976-77, 1978-79, 1986-87)
- It also marked the sixth game scoring 90 or better and the second 100-point game of the year (105 vs. Samford on Dec. 18)
- Alabama entered the contest ranked eighth in the nation in scoring offense
- Both teams had 14 turnovers, but it was UA that took advantage of its opponent's mistakes, outscoring Georgia 17-10 in points off turnovers
- The game featured seven ties and seven lead changes
First Half
- Alabama got off to an early 9-6 at the 15:34 mark and the first media stoppage of the game
- With the Tide leading 21-20, a 6-0 spurt gave Alabama a 27-20 lead at the 7:52 mark
- The game remained tightly contested until the final media timeout, with Alabama was in front 37-32
- The Crimson Tide and Bulldogs exchanged buckets for the remainder of the half and ended with Alabama owning a 45-41 lead at the break
- Lewis led the Tide with 12 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists, while Petty also dished out three dimes and grabbed three boards while adding 11 points.
Second Half
- The Bulldogs opened the second half on an 8-1 scoring run to grab a 49-46 lead at the 18:45 mark
- Georgia would extend its run to 24-8 over the opening 5:16 to take a 65-53 lead at the 14:44 mark
- The Crimson Tide would respond with a 15-2 surge over the next 4:04 to regain the lead, 68-67, with 10:40 remaining
- The game continued at a fast pace, as Alabama held a 78-77 lead with 8:00 left on the clock
- After Alabama led 83-77, the Bulldogs used a 6-0 run to tie the game at the final media timeout
- With Alabama clinging tightly to a 91-90 lead with just 31.3 seconds to go Lewis made 1-of-2 free throws to take a 92-90 lead
- Georgia was able to tie the game and send it to extra time
Overtime
- After a back-and-forth start to the extra period, two free throws from Shackelford gave Alabama a 101-98 advantage with just over a minute to play
- A free throw from Lewis made it 102-98 with 14.7 seconds remaining
- A pair of free throws from Georgia made it 102-100 with 9.5 seconds to go
- With 4.3 seconds on the clock, Petty made a free throw to make it 105-102 in favor of the Tide
- Georgia's three-point attempt at the buzzer failed and Alabama secured the 105-102 road victory
- The Tide made just two field goals and went 9-of-12 from the free throw line in the overtime, with all of its final nine points coming at the charity stripe
The Tide will return to action on Wednesday night as it travels to face No. 11/11 Auburn. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPN2.
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