Bulldogs drop another one; have lost six of last seven

ATHENS, Ga. - Kira Lewis Jr. scored a career-high 37 points, including two free throws in overtime to give Alabama a lead that would stand, and the Crimson Tide beat Georgia 105-102 to end a three-game losing streak.

The Crimson Tide rallied after trailing by 12 points early in the second half. Georgia fell to 12-11 overall and 2-8 in the SEC.

Georgia (12-11, 2-8) has lost six of its last seven games and has lost double-digit leads in its last three losses. Sahvir Wheeler scored a career-high 24 points to lead the Bulldogs. Rayshaun Hammonds had 20 points.

Lewis sank two free throws with 2:21 remaining in overtime to give Alabama a 98-96 lead. Georgia made only one of its last eight shots from the field in the extra period.

Tye Fagan's layup for Georgia with 30 seconds remaining in regulation cut Alabama's lead to 91-90. After Lewis made one of two free throws, Hammonds sank a tying jumper with 21 seconds remaining. Georgia's Jordan Harris missed a long jumper to force the overtime period.

Alabama led 45-41 at halftime before Georgia, led by Wheeler, opened strong in the second half. Wheeler sank two 3-pointers in the first five minutes of the half, including one in a 9--0 run that gave the Bulldogs a 65-53 lead.

Lewis helped Alabama recover midway through the second half to reclaim the lead.

Georgia's Anthony Edwards, who leads the nation's freshmen in scoring, had only 14 points but his short jumper inside the free-throw line tied the game at 83-all.

Alabama was 4-2 in the league before losing starter Herbert Jone s to a fractured left wrist on Jan. 29. The 6-foot-7 junior, who is out indefinitely, was averaging 9.9 points and 6.3 rebounds. Jones, the team's top defensive player, was injured in the first half of a 90-76 loss at Louisiana State.

Edwards' first points came on a layup with 7:21 remaining in the first half.

BIG PICTURE

Alabama: The Crimson Tide improved to 2-5 in games decides by no more than six points. John Petty Jr. scored 21 points. ... The previous career high for Lewis, a sophomore guard, was 30 points against Penn on Nov. 5.

Georgia: Hammonds and Edwards combined for only eight points in the first half. Alabama led 45-41 at halftime while taking a 32-22 advantage in points in the paint. When Hammonds was on the floor, his foul trouble only added to Georgia's weak defense around the basket. Georgia attacked the basket in the second half and finished with a 58-56 scoring edge in the paint.

UP NEXT

Alabama: Visits No. 11 Auburn on Wednesday night, looking to sweep the season series. The Crimson Tide beat Auburn 83-64 on Jan. 15.

Georgia: Plays another home game on Wednesday night against South Carolina.