Alabama men’s basketball didn’t run away with the game, but a win over South Carolina also really never looked in doubt.
The Crimson Tide grabbed a sizable lead in the first half then did enough to maintain it in the second half. As a result, Alabama won its first SEC road game of the season 88-68 on Wednesday at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.
Here are three takeaways from the game between No. 5 Alabama (13-2, 2-0 SEC) and South Carolina (10-5, 0-2).
Alabama shoots well early
The Crimson Tide offense didn’t take long to heat up. It made the trip. That became evident quickly.
Specifically, Alabama was hitting its 3-pointers. By the first media timeout of the game, the Crimson Tide had sunk 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.
That success continued. By halftime, Alabama had made 6 of 11 (55%) from deep.
That mark was just below the Crimson Tide’s overall field goal percentage of 60%. Alabama continued its success scoring in the paint from the Oklahoma game, tallying 22 points in the paint of its 45 in the first half against South Carolina. Sears led the offense with 16 points in the first half, but center Clifford Omoruyi also got in on the action. By the break, he had made 4 of 5 attempts for eight points over nine minutes of play.
Those efforts combined to create multiple runs for Alabama in the first half, resulting in a 45-28 lead at the break.
