TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Freshman Simisola Shittu tallied his fourth double-double of the season with a team-high 16 points and 11 rebounds, but it was not enough, as Alabama overcame a furious Commodore rally in the second half to come away with a 68-61 win at Coleman Coliseum.
Aaron Nesmith scored 14 and Yanni Wetzell also had 10 points for Vanderbilt.
Kira Lewis Jr. scored 19 points to lead Alabama.
The Crimson Tide (16-11, 7-7 Southeastern Conference) snapped a three-game skid despite losing most of a 23-point lead over the final 11 minutes.
Lewis made four of eight 3-pointers for the Tide. Dazon Ingram had 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, while Donta Hall also had a double-double with 14 points and 11 boards.
In the second half, the Commodores scored 15 straight points and cut it to 57-49 on Wetzell’s second straight layup with 5:44 left.
Herbert Jones finally halted the run with a dunk then made one of two free throws and had a steal to set up another basket.
Alabama surged to a 22-point lead in the first half but then didn’t score over the final 3:30. Vanderbilt managed to make it 35-20 by halftime.
Saben Lee, who had 24 points in the first meeting, finished with six points, six assists and four turnovers for Vanderbilt.
