The Alabama extended their winning streak to four games by defeating the hapless South Carolina Gamecocks 89-75 on Saturday in Coleman Coliseum. Bama improved to 18-7 overall and 8-4 in the SEC while the Cocks fell to 11-24 and 2-10 in conference play. Per usual the Tide was playing short handed, missing Taylor Bol Bowen as well as the other four players that have been unavailable for weeks and Charles Bediako who a Tuscaloosa judge deemed ineligible to play recently.
Coach Nate Oats sent out a starting lineup of Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway, Amari Allen, London Jemison, and Aiden Sherrell. USCe countered with Kobe Knox, Meechie Johnson, Myles Stute, Elijah Strong, and Mike Sharavamts. The Tide had a hot start and shot out to a 13-7 lead with 15:55 left in the half. USC was able to bounce back and take a brief 15-13 lead. Allen, Philon, Holloway, and Latrell Wrightsell all notched three point baskets. Little used Jalil Bethea even got into the first half action and made a quick impression with a two hoops and two free throws for six points. The guard trio of Philon, Holloway, and Wrightsell continued to connect from downtown and an Allen steal and dunk at the end of the period sent the Tide to the locker room, with a comfortable 45-32 lead.
Alabama shot a hot 16-29 for 55% in the half, including 9-17 for 53% from three point range. After several games of outstanding free throw shooting, the team regressed tom4-9 for 44%. The Tide won the rebounding battle with 22, dished out 11 assists, blocked two shots, and secured five steals. Philon scored nine points with four assists and was aided by eight points and five rebounds from Allen, eight points from Wrightsell, seven points from Sherrell, and six from Holloway and Bethea.
South Carolina was held to 14-33 for 42%, 3-13 for 23% from deep, and made their only free throw attempt. The Gamecocks grabbed only 12 rebounds, had nine assists, and five steals. Knox scored 12 and Sharavujumts added nine points and four rebounds.
The same five opened the second half for the Tide and Gamecocks. Jemison opened the second half making two free throws, his only points of the game, followed by a Holloway three pointer. When Philon connected from behind the arc the lead was 59-45 with 12:50 left. USC was doing enough to hang around and not get totally run out of the gym. The Tide became stale, shooting early shot clock threes with out much ball movement, and weren’t making any of this shots. Basically “playing with their food”, which allowed the Cocks to close the lead to 63-56 with 8:15 left. Wrightsell connected on a three from the corner to stem the surge with 7:35 left. From there it became a parade to the free throw line, mixed in with another Holloway three pointer, as the Tide coasted home with the 89-75 victory.
Alabama cooled off to 12-29 for 41% in the second half with 5-17 for 29% from deep, and made 15-18 free throws. Overall Bama finished 28-58 for 48%, 14-34 from three for 41%, and 19-27 for 70% at the charity stripe. The Tide finished with 43 rebounds, 20 assists, two blocks, seven steals, and committed 22 turnovers. Holloway led the way with 20 points on 4-5 shooting from deep and added four rebounds and three assists. Philon was 4-7 from three and scored 19 points with six assists. Wrightsell joined in with 19 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Sherrell was in double digits with 11 points and grabbed six rebounds. Allen filled the stat sheet with eight points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jemison won the hard hat and didn’t score a single basket, finishing with two points, eight rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal.
USC shot 12-31 in the second with 4-15 from three and 15-17 at the charity stripe. Overall the visitors were 26-64 for 41%, 7-28 from 25% from three, and 16-18 for 89% at the charity stripe. The Gamecocks grabbed 29 rebounds with 16 assists, six steals, two blocks, and eight turnovers. Johnson led all scorers with 26 points, Knox added 21 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Sharvajamts scored 14 with eight rebounds.
Any win in the SEC is a good win. The Tide didn’t play great, but they did what they needed to do. They played down to the competition at times. Wrightsell being back on track over the last several games has been huge for the team. The three headed monster of Philon, Holloway, and Wrightsell can give teams fits when they are on. Throw in the massive improvement of Sherrell and the do everything freshman star Allen and you have a dangerous squad. Houston Mallette is offering veteran leadership and relentless effort and Jemison plays at kamikaze speed, even if out of control at times. If Taylor Bol Bowen can get, and stay healthy, you have a team that can make a run.
Next up is a tough one. Arkansas comes to town Wednesday for a 6 p.m. CT tipoff. The game will be shown on ESPN2.
Roll Tide
