ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Alabama's Braxton Key scored a career-best 26 points and was one of four Crimson Tide players to score in double figures Wednesday night in an 80-60 victory over Georgia.
Corban Collins and Riley Norris added 15 points each and Jimmie Taylor contributed 10 before fouling out for Alabama (12-7, 5-2 SEC).
Key's total improved on the 24 points he scored in an 80-67 loss to Florida on Jan. 10.
Georgia (12-8, 4-4) was led by Yante Maten's 20 points. Juwan Parker added 10. J.J. Frazier, who came in averaging 16.2 points, was held to four on 2-of-9 shooting.
The game's notable moment came with 1:59 remaining in the first half when Georgia coach Mark Fox charged on to the floor to contest a carrying call on Jordan Harris. Fox was assessed two technicals and ejected, and Alabama went on to break open a four-point game and take a 41-27 lead at halftime.
The Crimson Tide put its considerable height advantage to good use, outrebounding Georgia 40-27 and scoring 26 points in the paint to the Bulldogs' 20. Alabama was also superior beyond the arc, hitting on 9 of 15 attempts, and made 23 of 34 free throws to Georgia's 14-for-19 shooting at the line.
BIG PICTURE
Alabama: Won for the seventh time in its last nine games and posted one of its largest margins of victory this season.
Georgia: Lost for the second consecutive game and is 3-3 in its last six outings. The Bulldogs, considered an NCAA Tournament bubble team a week ago, is seeing their postseason options dwindle.
UP NEXT
Alabama: After playing its last two games on the road, Alabama returns home to host Mississippi State on Saturday. The Crimson Tide is 8-2 at home this season and defeated Mississippi State 68-58 on Jan. 3.
Georgia: Has a rare-for-January nonconference game against Texas on Saturday in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge. Then the Bulldogs hit the road for a two-game SEC gantlet against No. 4 Kentucky (Jan. 31) and No. 23 South Carolina (Feb. 4).
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/1/494746/georgia-mens-basketball-staggers-to-tough-loss-at-home