No Bediako no problem. Alabama gets a big and much-needed home win on Valentine’s day over South Carolina 89 to 75 in Tuscaloosa. Bama has moved on from the Charles Bediako era and has won two in a row without Bediako. Aden Holloway, LaBaron Philon, and Latrell Wrightsell lead Bama to the win as Bama is 18-7 overall and 8-4 in the SEC. Great win for the Tide as Bama is now on a 4-game winning streak. Alabama defeated South Carolina 89–75 in Tuscaloosa on February 14, 2026, marking the Crimson Tide's fourth consecutive victory and their 11th straight series win over the Gamecocks. •Alabama took a strong lead in the first half and led at halftime 45 to 32. In the second half, the game was defined by a massive individual scoring burst from South Carolina's Meechie Johnson and a clinical closing performance by Alabama's Aden Holloway. Second Half Breakdown • Meechie Johnson's Scoring Surge: After being held to just two points in the first half, Johnson exploded for 24 points after halftime. He sparked a 9–0 run (part of a larger 11–2 personal run) that brought South Carolina within seven points, trailing 63–56 with 8:20 remaining. • Alabama's Immediate Response: The Crimson Tide halted the momentum when Latrell Wrightsell Jr. hit a critical three-pointer with 7:39 left, pushing the lead back to 10. South Carolina's Myles Stute missed a wide-open transition three shortly after that could have cut the deficit to four points. • Aden Holloway's Closing Act: Holloway, who struggled in the first half, scored all 20 of his points in the second half. He served as the "ultimate closer," recording a layup, a three-pointer, and four free throws in the final 2:13 to ensure the double-digit win. • Free Throw Consistency: Alabama secured the win by going 15-of-18 (83.3%) from the free-throw line in the second half, a significant improvement from their 44% clip in the first. Aden Holloway scored all of his 20 pts in the 2nd half. He also had 4 rebs and 3 assists, but did commit 3 TO’s. Other notables: Alabama had 4 players in total score in double figures. Here are the other three. LaBaron Philon had 19 pts and 6 assists, but had 3 TO’s. Philon is still dealing with a leg injury sustained in the win over Texas A&M and does have his full burst or mobility currently, but still put up 19 pts. Latrell Wrightsell had 19 pts, 3 rebs, 3 assists, and 1 steal, but 1 TO. Aiden Sherrell had 11 pts, 6 rebs, 1 assist, and 1 block Others: Amari Allen had another great stat-stuffing game with 8 pts, 10 rebs, 3 assists, and 2 Steals, and only one TO London Jemison and Houston Mallette both crashed the boards as London had 8 rebs and Mallette had 6 rebs. TBB sat out Bristow still out with a leg injury South Carolina was led by Meechie Johnson with 26 pts who scored 24 pts in the 2nd half and kept South Carolina within striking distance for most of the 2nd half until Aden Holloway made key plays in the closing minutes to put South Carolina away and secure the 14 pt win for Bama. Key Team Stats Bama shot well from the field and from three shooting 48% from the field and shooting 41% from three as Bama made 14 threes as compared to just 7 threes for South Carolina. Bama held South Carolina to 25% from three making only 7 threes. Bama jumps up on SC in the first half. Without Bediako, Alabama will struggle against teams like Arizona, Florida, and Michigan that have lots of skilled big men. Allen and Jemison will have to play at the four spot as 3 and D stretch fours and hit the boards to help make up for the lack of big men on the Bama roster. Alabama is now 18-7 on the season and 8-4 in the SEC with a 4-game winning streak, keeping them right in the hunt for a top four seed in the conference tournament and in the hunt for a top four seed in the NCAA tournament. Up next: Alabama plays Arkansas on Wed, Feb 18 at 6 pm. Bama needs to beat Arkansas at home and keep stacking wins to improve its seeding for the tournament.