Alabama Basketball Knocks Out Gamecocks For Second SEC Win
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama Crimson Tide put on an impressive defensive display in the second half of the SEC home opener to defeat South Carolina 74-47.
Alabama moves to 2-0 in conference play and extends its winning streak to four in a row.
The Tide was led as usual by senior guard Mark Sears who scored 31 points on 10-13 shooting. He was aided by sidekick Aaron Estrada who scored 17 of his own.
Alabama started the game slowly, accumulating six quick turnovers in the first half and losing the rebounding edge handily to allow the Gamecocks to control the half.
The halftime adjustments from the Alabama coaching staff were effective as the Tide opened the second half to a 24-5 run, essentially slamming the door in South Carolina’s face.
The defensive effort made the difference as the Crimson Tide held South Carolina to just 22 % shooting, forced nine turnovers and won the rebounding category 24-12.
The Crimson Tide will be back in action on Saturday as SEC play continues. Alabama travels to Starkville to take on Mississippi State at 7:30 p.m. CT.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — As conference play continues, Nate Oats and Alabama basketball are looking to make their mark after shaky non-conference slate.
After defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores 78-75 on Saturday, the Crimson Tide will turn its attention towards Lamont Paris' South Carolina Gamecocks, who are off to an earth-scorching 13-1 start to the season.
Alabama opens tonight's matchup as an -11.5 point favorite, and will look to secure a 2-0 start to SEC play.
Follow along below and be sure to refresh your browser as BamaCentral has all of your updates from Coleman Coliseum.
Live Updates
(most recent update at the top)
Second Half
- 1:25 - Max Charnowski checks into the game as the Crimson Tide is up 70-43.
- 2:46 - Timeout: Alabama 65, South Carolina 43. The crowd is heading to the exits happily.
- 3:02 - Another 3-pointer made by Sears. He's up to 29 points for the game.
- 4:53 - Nick Pringle picks up his third personal foul on a rebounding effort. He's done better controlling himself, important with Mo Wague out with injury.
- 5:59 - Mark Sears works his way into the lane for a lay-up and-one. He makes the free-throw. He's listed at 6-foot-1, 185-pounds and gets into the lane to the rim shockingly well.
- 7:57 - Alabama 54, South Carolina 37
- Mark Sears - 20 points
- Aaron Estrada - 15 points
- Meechie Johnson (S.C.) - 14 points
- 7:57 - Meechie Johnson and Max Scharnowski draw double-technical fouls. The Alabama walk-on said something to Johnson from the bench and Johnson responded.
- 8:56 - South Carolina has scored five points in the second half.
- 8:56 - Coleman Coliseum stands and cheers as the Tide stretches the lead to 20 points. Sam Walters cashes in on a 3-pointer to move the score to 54-34. Alabama has forced six second-half turnovers and four offensive rebounds.
- 11:07 - Alabama forces a shot clock violation and Rylan Griffen runs down the floor celebrating. Has Coach Nate Oats's defensive message taken hold for this team?
- 11:51 - The Crimson Tide have held South Carolina to .417 points per possession in the second half. Very strong effort on the defensive end.
- 13:04 - Wild scoring distribution for Alabama so far, Grant Nelson hasn't scored at all for the Tide. It's basically been Sears or Estrada for all the offensive output.
- 13:23 - Meechie Johnson hits a 3-pointer for South Carolina to score the Gamecocks first points of the second half. 43-32 Crimson Tide.
- 14:02 - Aaron Estrada hits a 3-pointer and the crowd responds with a huge ovation. Coleman is appreciating the defensive effort and the lead increasing. Alabama 43-29.
- 14:36 - South Carolina has yet to score in the second half. Very impressive Alabama defense, forcing lots of tough shots for the Gamecocks.
- 15:14 - Mark Sears makes a layup falling away. He's just so impressive attacking the rim.
- 15:59 - Timeout on the floor. Alabama, despite turning the ball over twice and allowing three offensive rebounds are off to an 8-0 run to open the second half.
- Mark Sears - 18 points
- Aaron Estrada - 10 points
- Rylan Griffen - 5 points
- 16:18 - It is all Alabama's way now and Coleman is rocking. Aaron Estrada makes a 3-pointer and the Tide's lead increases. 38-29 Alabama.
- 17:02 - Rylan Griffen brings the house to its feet with a long alley-oop pass from Mark Sears. Alabama with its biggest lead of the game at 35-29.
- 17:30 - The Tide's turned the ball over on back-to-back possessions, putting Alabama up to eight for the contest.
- 18:40 - Mark Sears makes his first 3-pointer of the half to give the Tide its biggest lead of the game at four.
- Alabama gives up two offensive rebounds on the first possession of the second half. Problem continues but Alabama is able to force a turnover to end the possession.
Halftime
Alabama 30, South Carolina 29.
First Half
- :29 - Aaron Estrada hangs in the air and makes a tough layup as Alabama and South Carolina go back and forth.
- 1:21 - One thing Nate Oats will want to improve in the second half is rebounding. South Carolina has the edge on the offensive glass 6-1 and in total 19-11.
- 2:19 - The Crimson Tide takes the lead on a Latrell Wrightsell 3-point shot. Alabama has done a much better job taking care of the basketball the last six minutes.
- 3:19 - Timeout: Alabama 25, South Carolina 27.
- 5:21 - Sears hits an impressive mid-range shot as the shot clock expires after drilling a three on the previous possession. Alabama 21, South Carolina 19.
- 6:51 - Timeout: Alabama, 19, South Carolina 19. A pair of three pointers from Rylan Griffen and Mark Sears keep the Crimson Tide in a deadlock.
- 9:07 - Timeout: Alabama 16, South Carolina 15.
- Rylan Griffen's 3-point shot gives Alabama its second lead of the game.
- Mark Sears 8 points to lead the Tide.
- Alabama allowing .833 points per game on defense.
- Nick Pringle's first basket cuts the Gamecock's lead to just two points as the Alabama defense has been fairly strong to get started.
- Mark Sears makes his second 3-point shot of the game. South Carolina still leads 15-11.
- Aaron Estrada just committed the sixth turnover of the game for Alabama on a fast-break. Three turnovers for Estrada alone.
- Gamecocks maintain a possession after pulling in two offensive rebounds. Ultimately Alabama is able to force a turnover. Sloppy first seven minutes for the Crimson Tide.
- Sam Walters enters for his first action for the Tide. He gets the ball on the block and misses a two-footer.
- 15:08: Timeout on the floor. South Carolina 13, Alabama 6.
- Ta'lon Cooper with 8 early points for the Gamecocks. He's 2-2 from 3-point land. Alabama has 4 turnovers and South Carolina has scored 8 points from the miscues.
- Finally Alabama manages a positive offensive possession and it's a made 3-pointer for Mark Sears. 10-6 South Carolina.
- South Carolina's taking advanced of four turnovers for the Tide and has a 10-3 lead.
- Alabama has turned the ball over three times in its first four possessions. Picking up right where it left off in the last game against Vanderbilt with 16 turnovers.
- Bama gets a stop on the first possession and Aaron Estrada makes his first 3-point attempt to give the Tide an early lead.
- South Carolina wins the tip and we are underway in Coleman Coliseum.
Pregame:
- South Carolina Starting Lineup: B.J. Mack, Stephen Clark, Meechie Johnson, Myles Stute, Ta'lon Cooper
- Alabama Starting Lineup: Mark Sears Grant Nelson Rylan Griffen Nick Pringle Aaron Estrada
- Alabama forward Mohamed Wague will miss tonight's game with a foot injury.
- Mark Sears is the first player out for warmups.
How to Watch: Alabama Basketball vs. South Carolina
Who: Alabama (9-5) vs. South Carolina (13-1)
When: Tuesday, January 9, 6:00 p.m. CT
Where: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Analyst: Bryan Passink). The pregame show will begin one hour prior to tipoff.
Series: Alabama leads 34-16.
Last Meeting: No. 2 Alabama defeated South Carolina 78-76 behind a 41-point effort from Brandon Miller in Columbia, S.C.
Last Time Out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide squeaked by 5-9 Vanderbilt 78-75 inside Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn.
Last Time Out, South Carolina: The Gamecock defeated Mississippi State 68-62 at home behind a 24-point effort from Meechie Johnson Jr.
