COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Riley Norris scored six of his 11 points in the fourth and final overtime, including the go-ahead free throws with 56 seconds left, and Alabama finally put away No. 19 South Carolina 90-86 on Tuesday night, overcoming a career night by Gamecocks star Sindarius Thornwell.
Thornwell finished with career highs of 44 points and 21 rebounds. He made 25 free throws, surpassing LSU great "Pistol" Pete Maravich's mark of 21 in a Southeastern Conference game. But it was not enough for South Carolina (19-5, 9-2).
Alabama (14-9, 7-4) had a 17-point lead in the first half and a 12-point edge with less than 5 minutes to go, watching the Gamecocks rally back to force the extra periods.
The Crimson Tide trailed 70-63 with 2:12 left in the second overtime, yet outscored South Carolina 11-4 to tie things once more. It was the Gamecocks who rallied in the final 90 seconds of the third overtime after trailing 82-77.
South Carolina, though, ran out of gas at the end and missed its last eight field goal attempts to fall into a three-way tie for the SEC lead with No. 15 Kentucky and No. 17 Florida.
Avery Johnson Jr. and Ar'Mond Davis had career highs of 23 points and 19 points, respectively, for Alabama, which won beat a ranked SEC opponent on the road for the first time since winning at No. 4 Mississippi State 77-73 on Feb. 21, 2004.
Both teams had several chances to win.
Johnson's long 3-pointer with 3 seconds left in regulation bounded away and time ran out during the scramble. South Carolina had its chance to move in front moments earlier, but Thornwell could not finish a three-point play, missing the free throw after his tying basket.
Davis' jumper from the left side at the end of the first overtime hit the rim and bounded away to bring another extra period.
After Johnson's 3-pointer put Alabama ahead 74-72, Thornwell tied it up once more to force a third overtime.