COLUMBIA, S.C. — Mark Sears delivered an impressive performance, scoring 22 points and successfully making 4 of 6 attempts from beyond the arc, leading No. 5 Alabama to an 88-68 victory over South Carolina on Wednesday night. This win marked the Crimson Tide’s seventh consecutive triumph and extended their dominance over the Gamecocks to 10 straight games.

In addition to Sears, Aden Holloway contributed 13 points for Alabama (13-2, 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference). Sears made a significant impact early on, scoring or assisting in 17 of the team’s first 25 points and wrapping up his night with six assists. His performance allowed him to join Brian Williams as one of the only players in the program’s history to achieve over 1,500 points, 200 three-pointers, and 300 assists.

Clifford Omoruyi provided additional support with 10 points and five rebounds. For South Carolina (10-5, 0-2), Jacobi Wright emerged as the leading scorer with 20 points, while Jamarii Thomas added 15 points to the effort.

Observations from the game revealed that Alabama has enjoyed significant margin victories, winning by at least 20 points in their last three games. The Crimson Tide established a firm grip on the match with a 45-28 lead at halftime. Holloway notably scored 11 of his 13 points during the second half, contributing to the overall team effort.

From the opposing side, former Alabama forward Nick Pringle made his mark with 13 points and six rebounds for South Carolina.

Statistically, Alabama showcased their shooting prowess, hitting 8 of 19 from three-point range and recording an overall shooting percentage of 55%. In contrast, South Carolina struggled from long range, making only 3 of 14 attempts.

Looking ahead, Alabama is set to face No. 10 Texas A&M on Saturday night, while South Carolina will welcome Auburn to their home court on the same day.