Alabama basketball wins for the fourth straight time by more than 20 points and gets the road win to stay undefeated in SEC play.
Alabama Basketball gets the big-time road win over South Carolina to win its 10th head-to-head win against the Gamecocks in a row to move to 2-0 in SEC play with the 88-68 win. The Tide are starting to click as a team as conference play is in full swing.
Alabama had 21 assists tonight on 11 turnovers, with Mark Sears leading the way with six assists.
Former Alabama player Nick Pringle went up against the Tide, finishing with 13 points and six rebounds.
Jarin Stevenson won the hard hat in this game.
“I thought the guys answered the bell really well. We came out the gate good early,” said head coach Nate Oats.
Takeaway #1: Alabama shoots lights out in first half
Alabama basketball shot its best half it has all season thus far, shooting 60% from the field. Everything was working for the Tide, especially around the rim getting good cuts, to go with good pick-and-rolls between guards and bigs.
Clifford Omoruyi was dominant early, even after leaving the game momentarily after getting poked in the eye, finishing the half with eight points on 4-5 shoo5ing in the half.
Labaron Philon got the team going early to take a lead after an and-one three to take the lead, and the Tide never looked back, leading the rest of the half after the first four minutes of the game.
Alabama continues to be one of the best teams at finishing around the rim, but struggled from the line in the first half shooting 3-8, and finishing the game 10-20 from the line.
Takeaway #2: Projected first round pick Collin Murray-Boyles shut down
Collin Murray-Boyles, who had tons of NBA scouts on hand tonight, was shut down by Mouhamed Dioubate, who limited Murray-Boyles to 1-6 from the field.
Murray-Boyles entered the game tonight, averaging 15.1 PPG, and was held to six points in 28 minutes of action.
Dioubate’s physicality and defensive mentality was crucial in locking down Murray-Boyles.
The Tide as a whole held South Carolina to 68 points on 42.6% shooting from the field and 21.4% from three.
Takeaway #3: Mark Sears and Aden Holloway efficient outings
Mark Sears, had one of his most efficient outings, finishing with his ninth 20+ point game so far this season with 22 points. He shot 7-12 from the field and shooting 4-6 from three after shooting 1-5 against Oklahoma. Sears continues to make good decisions with the ball on finding the open guy driving to the basket, or on a kick-out for three.
Aden Holloway continues to come in and be an efficient scorer off the bench with 13 points in 22 minutes of action, shooting 5-7 from the field and 1-2 from three. Holloway had some good finishes around the rim, including the very rare midrange shot, which rarely features in the Oats offense at Alabama.
Next up for Alabama (13-2, 2-0): at Texas A&M (13-2, 2-0) – Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. EST
Next up for South Carolina (10-5, 0-2): vs. Auburn (14-1, 2-0) – Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. EST