Alabama men’s basketball may not have escaped with the game, but a victory over South Carolina never seemed in doubt.

The Crimson Tide secured a sizable lead in the first half and maintained 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.

Alabama guard Mark Sears led all scorers with 22 points.

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

It didn’t take long for the Crimson Tide’s offense to gain momentum. It made the trip. That quickly became clear.

Specifically, Alabama hit its 3-point shots. By the first media timeout of the game, the Crimson Tide had sunk 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.

This success continued. By halftime, Alabama had made 6 of 11 (55%) from deep.

That mark was just under the Crimson Tide’s overall field goal percentage of 60%. Alabama continued its scoring success at Oklahoma, scoring 22 of 45 points 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 halftime he had made four of five attempts in nine minutes to take eight points.

These efforts led to several runs for Alabama in the first half, resulting in a 45-28 lead at halftime.

The one thing that didn’t really work for Alabama? Free throws. The Crimson Tide started the game 3 for 8 (38%) from the charity stripe and continued to struggle making free throws.

Alabama didn’t need those easy buckets, though. In the opening frame, the Crimson Tide posted a strong average of 1.406 points per possession. South Carolina kept Alabama’s offense somewhat in check for about eight minutes, but Alabama broke away and rolled into halftime.

Aden Holloway can provide a spark

Sears, Omoruyi and others cooled off after the break.

The main triggers for the offense in the first frame almost completely disappeared at the beginning of the second frame.

Good thing guard Aden Holloway stepped forward.

South Carolina tried to fight back in the opening minutes of the second half, but Holloway almost single-handedly denied the Gamecocks. On more than five possessions at the start of the break, Holloway scored four shots. A layup, two jumpers and a three-pointer. About three minutes of playing time.

Alabama didn’t shoot nearly as well in the second half, but it’s fortunate that Holloway got better after that. Eventually Sears and others began scoring again, but Holloway was a key offensive figure in the second half. He finished the game with 13 points, including 11 in the second half.

How Nick Pringle played against his former team

The Crimson Tide had a chance to face former Alabama forward Nick Pringle in the South Carolina matchup. After two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Pringle transferred to South Carolina.

Wednesday’s matchup was Pringle’s first opportunity to face his former team. He made a few plays and reached double-digit points. But Pringle also had some problems. Overall, it was a mixed performance for the former Alabama forward.

Pringle scored 13 points (4 of 6), six rebounds, three fouls and three turnovers in 25 minutes.

Nick Kelly is a beat writer from Alabama AL.com and Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X And Instagram.