Alabama Basketball Falls to South Carolina 68-66

The Alabama men's basketball team fell two points short of starting their conference schedule 3-0, instead taking a disappointing loss to South Carolina in Columbia.  The Tide were down by as much as 13 points in the second half, but was able to climb back and have a shot at the buzzer.  Unfortuantely, Levi Randolph's desperation three-point shot could not find the basket.  The win gives South Carolina their first SEC victory of the season.

Free throws and fouls hampered the Tide through most of the game.  After opening the game with a 7-0 run, Alabama's defense struggled against the Gamecocks' uptempo offense.  At halftime, the Tide trailed 30-25.  At the break, they were just 6 of 14 on free throw attempts.

The second half started as poorly for the Tide as possible.  Three straight turnovers on offense led to a double-digit South Carolina lead.  Alabama was able to close the gap late, but defensive fouls allowed the Gamecocks to keep just ahead with free throws.  Ricky Tarrant fouled out late in the second half, and the Tide offense could not recover.

Alabama falls to 12-4 on the season.  The return to Coleman Coliseum this Saturday for a showdown with top-ranked Kentucky.  The Tide's NCAA Tournament hopes took a hit with the loss, but a win over the Wildcats would put them right back in the thick of things.