Shackelford's 27 helps No. 8 Alabama top Vandy

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama's frequently launched 3-pointers weren't falling with their normal regularity, and Vanderbilt just wouldn't go away.

The result was familiar, if not the methodology: another Crimson Tide win.

Jaden Shackelford scored a season-high 27 points and No. 8 Alabama came from behind to beat Vanderbilt 82-78 Saturday and move a step closer to a Southeastern Conference championship.

“That's what our team is about," Tide guard John Petty Jr. said. "We're about pulling wins out even though we're not shooting well or doing what we do best.

“It was an ugly win, but no matter how ugly it was, it is a win. So we're proud of our team.”

The Tide (18-5, 13-1 SEC) moved within a win of clinching at least a share of their first regular-season title in 19 years despite an off 3-point shooting performance.

Jahvon Quinerly made a late 3-pointer and a clinching free throw with 2 seconds left to help Alabama quell the upset bid by the Commodores (6-12, 2-10), who went nearly five minutes without a basket but stayed in it at the free-throw line.

Maxwell Evans made a layup with four seconds left to pull to within 81-78 after rebounding a missed 3. After a quick Vandy foul, Quinerly missed one free throw and made another to clinch it.

Quinerly scored 15 points for the Tide, who made just 10 of 39 3-point attempts (25.6%). Alex Reese scored 10 points while Keon Ellis had eight points and nine rebounds, including a pair of free throws with 28 seconds left.

Alabama overcame low scoring from Petty (six points) and Herb Jones (eight before fouling out). Shackelford came within one point of his career high despite making just 1 of 9 3s, frequently scoring on drives instead.

“I had no problem taking 39 3s,” Tide coach Nate Oats said. “If they're good shots, take them. But we've got to have our shooters knocking down some shots.”

Scotty Pippen Jr. scored 24 points and made 12 of 14 free throws for Vanderbilt. Dylan Disu had 17 points and 15 rebounds for another double-double. The SEC's leading rebounder had 29 points and 16 boards in a loss to Kentucky.

Evans scored 18 points and made 4 of 5 3-pointers.