Grant Nelson Provides Late-Game Spark Amidst Three-Point Struggles
ATHENS, Ga. — Sometimes, all it takes is a little confidence booster.
On Wednesday, No. 24 Alabama basketball defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 85-76 on the road, storming back from a 16-point first half deficit to secure their place atop the SEC at 15-6 (7-1) overall.
Coming into the season, North Dakota State transfer forward Grant Nelson was tabbed as a potential All-SEC caliber player for the Crimson Tide, impressing with his raw athleticism, versatility and shot-making ability.
While Nelson has been a key cog in Nate Oats' lineup, the 6-foot-10, Devils Lake, N.D. native hasn't quite lived up to the lofty expectations set upon him during the preseason, averaging 12.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game on 44.4% percent shooting — struggling with a 25.7% mark from three-point range.
Coming into the night, Nelson had made just two shots from beyond the arc over the course of six games, with his last make coming on Jan. 16 vs. Missouri at home — good enough for a 72 minute output between his last three-point field goal and Alabama's crucial conference matchup with the Bulldogs.
At the half, Nelson once again hadn't converted a three, but posted 6 points on 3-for-5 shooting, with both misses coming from beyond the arc.
Then, something clicked.
Along with the rest of the valiant Crimson Tide roster, Nelson caught fire in the second half — pouring in an additional 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting, finishing the night with 20 points on an efficient 8-for-11 performance from the field.
Though he crafted his way towards a plethora of buckets using his post-up and tip-in abilities, it was Nelson's final eight points that sunk Georgia's upset attempt, burying a pair of three-pointers on back-to-back possessions under the 2:00 mark after drilling a pair of free throws with 2:16 to go.
"Grant Nelson, he's got some toughness to him," Oats said postgame. "Some mental toughness. He's been struggling to shoot the ball. He's been shooting over 40% percent from three in practice. We trust him to make shots. He did a good job of not taking too many, but taking the appropriate ones. Those two he hit late in the game were huge. They sealed the game for us, so, you know, he showed he's a winner. He showed the moment doesn't get too big for him, and we got a lot of guys that I thought played hard."
After his best performance in an Alabama uniform, Oats hopes the late-game firestorm from Nelson will be a catalyst for future confidence.
"He needed it," Oats said. "He needed to start making some threes at the five for us. Played him a few minutes at the four tonight, most minutes at the five, so he probably played 20-plus minutes at the five. If he can draw opponents fives out and away towards the perimeter that helps us even more."
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