Alabama 63, South Carolina 57: Trevor Lacey scored 15 points, including a big 3-pointer with 58 seconds left, as the Crimson Tide hung on to beat the Gamecocks.

Fifth-seeded Alabama led by double-figures on two occasions in the second half, only to have South Carolina, the No. 12 seed in the tournament, cut the lead to two points with 1:32 remaining. The Gamecocks missed a chance to tie, and Lacey’s 3-pointer gave Alabama some breathing room.

Alabama (21-10, 10-7) likely secured its position in the NCAA tournament with the victory and advances to play Florida in the second round. The Tide won the game at the line, making 24 of 29 free throws and outscoring South Carolina by 19 points at the charity stripe. JaMychal Green had 12 points and six rebounds and Nick Jacobs added 10 points.

South Carolina (10-21, 2-15) made it close because of its success with 3-pointers, as the Gamecocks made eight.

Alabama created 10 first-half turnovers and that helped the Tide jump out to a 37-24 halftime lead.

Game notebook: Alabama took only six 3-point shots and made only one . . . . Alabama got into the double bonus with 7:30 left in the game. . . . Alabama had only five field goals in the second half.