Grant Nelson puts together complete game in win over Gators

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Grant Nelson led the way for No. 13 Alabama in its 98-83 overtime win over the Florida Gators on Wednesday night. The starting forward paced The Crimson Tide with 22 points on a season-high nine made shots and pulled down eight rebounds, but an area that earned praise from head coach Nate Oats was Nelson’s team-high six blocks.

“I thought this was maybe his best game he’s played on both sides, the best two-way game he’s played,” Oats said after the game. “He played really good on defense at Mississippi State on Tolu (Smith), but you talk about both sides of the ball, I think this is the best I’ve seen him since he’s been here.”

Wednesday marked the fifth time this year Nelson has led the team in scoring and scored 20 or more points. He was 9-14 from the floor, 1-3 from 3-point range and 3-4 from the free-throw line while logging a season-high 37 minutes. Nelson recorded several highlight dunks throughout the night, but some of his biggest contributions came in the final three minutes.

Alabama had used a 15-4 run to take its first lead over Florida since the 11:47 mark of the first half before the Gators responded. A Nelson three gave the Tide an 80-79 lead with 3:06 left on the clock, and he executed an and-1 to tie things up at 83-83 with 1:23 left to play. 

“He’s had a knack for making some big 3s in these comeback wins,” Oats said. “You go back to the Georgia win, he had two of them late that opened the whole thing up and won us the game. 

“That three he hit in the corner, I wanted him to take it as soon as he caught it. I don’t know what he was hesitating for. I think I yelled at him, like, ‘Shoot it.’ He decides to jab and shoot it and it still goes in. We want him taking the correct 3s and build up a bunch of confidence.” 

Nelson battled inside for eight rebounds, which was tied for the team lead, and recorded six of Alabama’s eight blocks, establishing a career-high for the North Dakota State transfer. 

The Florida game was Nelson’s seventh game in a row of starting at the five spot, which Oats said has helped him get more comfortable in the post. “He’s able to drive more fives,” the head coach said following the overtime victory. Nelson was asked after the game when he started to settle in offensively after transitioning from the Summit League to the SEC.

“When I got here originally in the summer, I felt pretty comfortable. But when you get out there, it’s a whole different feeling, trying to find your role,” Nelson said. “But I came in being acceptive of wherever I was, what I had to do, and I think it’s starting to click for everyone, what everyone’s role is, which has helped us a lot. 

“Everyone’s role is to play defense, get rebounds, push it offensively, and then whoever scores, scores.”

On Wednesday night at Coleman Coliseum, Nelson filled all of those roles for Alabama.

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