It wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was ugly, and No. 7 Alabama continued to give South Carolina new lift Saturday before the Crimson Tide got a 27-25 win in what proved to be a wild game in Tuscaloosa.

“There just so many times when we talk about finding a way to win,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said right after the game. “The ball wasn’t bouncing our way. But when you find a way to win when your backs against the wall like it was on the last drive there, I’m proud of these guys.”

The Tide was coming off a shocking 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt in Nashville a week ago.

“It was a week where they really kind of hung together, the attitude, and came out,” DeBoer said of the Tide. “I think South Carolina’s a very good football team. The ups and downs of the game, we just stayed the course.”

Jalen Milroe, who ran for two scores but also threw two interceptions, hit Geramie Bernar for a 33-yard touchdown with 1:54 left in the game to give the Tide a 27-19.

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The Gamecocks, however, scored a touchdown with under a minute left, but they failed to get the 2-point conversion. Shane Beamer’s team managed to get new life with the onside kick, but a final heave was intercepted.

DeBoer said he was proud of his leader but also his defense.

“They caused a couple of turnovers, too,” he said of the defense. “Those are critical. Short field right after we threw the interception. There’s five points they didn’t have on the scoreboard. They kept fighting. I’m proud of them.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.