Alabama basketball rains 3s to bury USC: 7 key observations

Showers started early this weekend as the momentum continued for Alabama basketball in its fourth consecutive conference victory.

Taking down South Carolina, 89-75, on Saturday, Feb. 14, the Crimson Tide didn't repeat the slow start it had in its mid-week matchup against Ole Miss. From the beginning, Alabama (18-7, 8-4 SEC) was hot from the perimeter as the Gamecocks struggled.

Aden Holloway led Alabama's four double-digit scorers with 20 points, supported by 19 each from Labaron Philon and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. Holloway and Philon each had a team-high four treys, helping the Tide go 14-for-34 as a team from deep.

Here are seven takeaways from the game:

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South Carolina's 10-0 run swipes Tide advantage early

Before Labaron Philon snapped a two-minute long scoring drought with a triple, South Carolina went on a 10-0 run for a 17-13 lead with 13:59 to go in the first period. Alabama had previously led by six points.

How long did it take for Alabama to grab first offensive rebound?

Offensive rebounds were hard to come by for both teams, but Alabama didn't have its first O-board until Houston Mallette grabbed one with 8:55 until halftime. That was UA's only rebound on the offensive glass until Latrell Wrightsell Jr. added another with 6:16 left until the break.

The Tide finished with eight offensive rebounds.

Strong start from arc helps Tide mount double-digit lead before break

Up 12 points with 2:50 to go in the first half, Alabama was 9-for-16 from the perimeter after Philon hit his third trey of the evening before the media timeout. At that point, Holloway, Amari Allen and Wrightsell had supported the sophomore with two 3-pointers each.

Nate Oats opts for same starting five to start second half

Coming out of the locker room, Oats often takes the opportunity to change up the lineup, but he stuck with his starting five of Philon, Holloway, Allen, London Jemison and Aiden Sherrell.

Jalil Bethea makes most of minutes

Oats opted to bring the Miami transfer in for more minutes after some positive words on Bethea earlier in the week. In six minutes, Bethea had six points, highlighted by a dunk. He also had a rebound before his one and only turnover of the game got him pulled with 10:20 to go.

For how long did Alabama basketball lead Gamecocks?

Although South Carolina threatened in the last six minutes or so to the horn, Alabama trailed for only 2:10 in the game.

South Carolina pommeled in bench points

Alabama dominated with 29 bench points − highlighted by 19 from Wrightsell − compared to seven for the Gamecocks.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball rains 3s to bury USC: 7 key observations