Alabama Escapes Scare on the Road Against South Carolina, Miller Scores Career-High 41 Points
The No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide were able to narrowly escape an upset scare on the road from South Carolina on Wednesday, topping the Gamecocks 78-76 in overtime behind a career-high 41 points from freshman Brandon Miller. After the game, Miller's involvement in the fatal shooting of Jamea Harris was brought to light by police testimony. Miller is not considered a suspect in the case, only a cooperative witness, and Alabama head coach Nate Oats apologized for his “poor choice of words” in reference to the situation.[0]
Alabama started the game off hot, shooting 10-25 from the field, including 3-11 from three-point range, and 8-12 from the free throw line in the first half. Miller had 15 points at the break and Bediako notched seven.[1] South Carolina shot lights out, 15-27 for 56% including 5-10 from deep and were 0-4 from the charity stripe.[1] The Gamecocks had 11 rebounds, four assists, four steals, one block and turned it over six times.[1] Jackson, of the home team, had a total of 13 points.[1]
Miller had periods of time where he was able to score many points in a row by himself.[2] He scored seven consecutive points in the first half, giving him a 25-24 advantage.[2] After being four points behind at halftime, he emerged from the break by scoring Alabama's first 10 points of the second half, giving them a 41-38 lead.[2] Then, with 14.3 seconds left in regulation, Wright nailed a jumper to give the Gamecocks a 68-66 lead.[3] Miller would drive to his left to make a layup with four seconds left on the clock to send the game to overtime.[2]
In overtime, Miller gave Alabama a 76-74 lead on a layup with 38 seconds left, but the lead was shortlived with Johnson scoring a layup of his own with 21 seconds on the board.[3] But Miller was able to eclipse the 40-point mark on the game-winning shot with under one second to go, giving the Tide a 78-76 victory.[3]
South Carolina is 4-1 against the spread in their last five games overall, and 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games overall. The under is 5-1-1 in Alabama’s last seven road games, and the over is 4-1 in South Carolina’s last five games following a straight up win.
0. “Non-Suspended Alabama Star Brandon Miller Plays With A Vengeance, Scores Career-High 41 In OT Win At South …” OutKick , 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.outkick.com/non-suspended-alabama-star-brandon-miller-plays-with-a-vengeance-scores-career-high-41-in-ot-win-at-south-carolina/
1. “Mentally Tough Brandon Miller Carries Tide To Victory” Roll Bama Roll, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.rollbamaroll.com/2023/2/23/23611497/mentally-tough-brandon-miller-carries-tide-to-victory
2. “Brandon Miller's career night leads Alabama past South Carolina” 247Sports, 23 Feb. 2023, https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Article/Brandon-Miller-career-night-leads-Alabama-Basketball-past-South-Carolina-205186197
3. “No. 2 Alabama escapes Columbia with overtime win over South Carolina” 247Sports, 23 Feb. 2023, https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Article/No-2-Alabama-Basketball-escapes-Columbia-with-road-win-over-South-Carolina-Brandon-Miller-205183281/
