Baylor won its first 15 games this season, soaring to the top of the AP Poll heading into the new year. That momentum has stalled since the calendar flipped, however.
The fourth-ranked Bears were handed their third loss of the season on Saturday, as they were outpowered by unranked Alabama, 87-78. All three losses have come over the last six games.
The game was pretty even to start as the teams exchanged largely nothing but body blows for the first 20 minutes. The Crimson Tide led by four going into the break after Keon Ellis knocked down all three free throws after being fouled behind the arc.
Both teams came out slowly to start the second half, but Alabama quickly took control. The Tide jumped out to as much as a 15-point lead midway through the half as Ellis drained a three to go up 57-42 at the 11:50 mark.
The Bears weren’t going to go down without a fight, however. They gradually clawed their way back until they trailed by just four points with just over four minutes to play. Alabama wouldn’t let it get any closer, however, pulling away in the final minutes for the nine-point win.
Alabama’s Jahvon Quinerly led all scorers with 20. Jaden Shackleford added 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists for the Tide, and Ellis poured in 11. Juwan Gary and JD Davison added 15 and 14 off the bench, respectively.
Jeremy Sochan led Baylor with 17 points off the bench, and Adam Flagler added 16 points.
Alabama is now 14-7 after the win, but gains no ground in the conference as this game was part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. Baylor slides to 18-3 and remains a half game back of No. 5 Kansas in the conference.
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