Alabama’s Balanced Attack Overpowers South Carolina, Extends Win Streak to Four
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - On a night when Alabama’s offense was firing on all cylinders, the Crimson Tide leaned on a deep, balanced scoring effort to take down South Carolina 89-75 and extend their win streak to four games.
Freshman guard Aden Holloway led the charge with 20 points, showcasing his range with a 4-of-5 performance from beyond the arc. He wasn’t alone in lighting it up - fellow freshman Labaron Philon Jr. dropped 19 points of his own, matching Holloway’s long-range output with four threes on just seven attempts. Off the bench, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. added another 19, giving Alabama three players flirting with the 20-point mark in a game where the Tide’s offensive rhythm never really let up.
This wasn’t just a hot shooting night - it was another example of Alabama doing what it does best: stretching the floor and letting it fly from deep. The Crimson Tide knocked down 14 threes on 34 attempts (41.2%), marking their sixth straight game with at least a dozen triples. When this team gets going from the perimeter, they’re a handful for anyone in the SEC.
Aiden Sherrell chipped in with 11 points, while Amari Allen controlled the glass, pulling down 10 rebounds to go with his eight points. It was a total team effort, and it showed in the box score.
South Carolina, to its credit, didn’t go quietly. Redshirt senior Meechie Johnson put on a second-half scoring clinic, pouring in 24 of his game-high 26 points after halftime.
Johnson was relentless, hitting tough shots and getting to the line, where he went 7-of-8. It was his eighth 20-point game this season - six of those coming in SEC play - and his 11th straight in double figures.
The veteran guard continues to be one of the few consistent bright spots for a Gamecocks team that’s struggled to find its footing in conference play.
Kobe Knox also had a strong showing, matching his career high with 21 points on an efficient 8-of-13 shooting. The redshirt senior did a little bit of everything - six rebounds, a season-high six assists, and a steady presence throughout. Mike Sharavjamts added 14 points and led South Carolina with eight boards.
The game turned late in the first half. With the score tied at 23, Holloway buried a three to spark a quick Alabama surge.
Jalil Bethea followed it up with a fast-break dunk, and just like that, the Tide were rolling. A pair of back-to-back threes from Holloway and Philon stretched the lead to double digits at 41-29 with just under three minutes before halftime.
Alabama went into the break up 45-32 and never trailed again.
South Carolina did make a push midway through the second half, led by - who else - Meechie Johnson. He went on a personal 11-2 run that included a deep three to cut the deficit to 63-56 with just over eight minutes to play. But that was as close as the Gamecocks would get.
Wrightsell calmly knocked down a pair of free throws with 2:48 remaining to push the lead back into double digits, and Alabama kept its foot on the gas the rest of the way.
With the win, Alabama improves to 18-7 overall and 8-4 in SEC play, continuing to build momentum as the postseason looms. The Tide’s perimeter shooting and depth make them a dangerous draw for any opponent, and if they keep getting this kind of production from their young core, they’re going to be a tough out come March.
South Carolina, now 11-14 (2-10 SEC), will look to regroup quickly. The road doesn’t get any easier - next up is a trip to Gainesville to face a Florida team that’s been surging in the SEC standings.
For now, though, Alabama’s offense is humming - and if you’re in the SEC, that’s a problem.