Alabama men’s basketball didn’t run away with the game, but a win over South Carolina also really never looked in doubt.

The Crimson Tide grabbed a sizable lead in the first half then did enough to maintain 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

The Crimson Tide offense didn’t take long to heat up. It made the trip. That became evident quickly.

Specifically, Alabama was hitting its 3-pointers. By the first media timeout of the game, the Crimson Tide had sunk 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.

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

That mark was just below the Crimson Tide’s overall field goal percentage of 60%. Alabama continued its success scoring in the paint from the Oklahoma game, tallying 22 points in the paint of its 45 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 the break, he had made 4 of 5 attempts for eight points over nine minutes of play.

Those efforts combined to create multiple runs for Alabama in the first half, resulting in a 45-28 lead at the break.

The only thing that wasn’t really working for Alabama? Free throws. The Crimson Tide started the game 3 for 8 (38%) from the charity stripe and continued to struggle to hit free throws.

Alabama didn’t need those easy buckets, though. In the opening frame, the Crimson Tide averaged a strong 1.406 points per possession. South Carolina kept the Alabama offense somewhat contained for about eight minutes, but Alabama broke free and rolled into halftime.

Aden Holloway can provide a spark

Sears, Omoruyi and others cooled off after the break.

The main catalysts for offense in the opening frame all but disappeared early in the second.

Good thing guard Aden Holloway stepped up.

South Carolina was trying to battle back in the opening minutes of the second half, but Holloway almost single-handedly wouldn’t let the Gamecocks. Over five possessions early after the break, Holloway scored four buckets. One layup, two jumpers and one 3-pointer. Over about three minutes of play.

Alabama didn’t shoot near as well in the second half, but it’s fortunate Holloway stepped up when he did. Eventually Sears and others started scoring again, but Holloway was a vital piece on offense in the second half. He finished the game with 13 points, 11 of which came in the second half.

How Nick Pringle played against former team

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

The matchup Wednesday provided the first opportunity for Pringle to face his former team. He made some plays, reaching double-digits in scoring. But Pringle had some troubles as well. It was a mixed performance overall for the former Alabama forward.

Pringle tallied 13 points (4-for-6), six rebounds, three fouls and three turnovers over 25 minutes.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.