No. 5 Alabama men's basketball cruised by South Carolina 88-68 on Wednesday evening. This was the Crimson Tide's first SEC road test of the season and it passed with flying colors. The Crimson Tide got out to a massive lead early and never looked back due to stellar performances on both ends of the floor.

South Carolina (10-5, 0-2 SEC) hosts No. 2 Auburn on Saturday. Here are three observations from the loss to Alabama: SEC play has been a rough ride so far for Murray-Boyles.

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.