TAMPA, Fla. — Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr. had an impressive game, scoring 29 points with eight rebounds and seven assists, leading the No. 4 seed Crimson Tide to a 90-70 victory over 13th-seeded Hofstra in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Alabama, now 24-9, had to overcome an early 10-point deficit. They ended the first half strong, outscoring Hofstra 19-7, and took control with a lead that reached 13 points. Hofstra battled back, thanks to freshman Preston Edmead’s 24 points, even narrowing the gap to 67-62 late in the game. However, Alabama’s pace proved too much. Philon’s timely layups and three-pointers helped push the lead to 20 points.
“Their strategy was to slow things down, but our tempo broke them down,” Philon said.
Without star guard Aden Holloway due to suspension, Alabama’s role players stepped up. Aiden Sherrell contributed 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Amari Allen added 11 points each. Philon excelled in the second half, scoring 21 of his 29 points.
Hofstra, making its first tournament appearance since 2001, had high hopes but struggled with defensive rebounds, allowing Alabama to grab 17 offensive boards. Coach Speedy Claxton reflected on the need for perfection in tournament play. “It’s tough to win when you give up that many offensive rebounds,” he noted.
Interestingly, this loss extends Hofstra’s NCAA tournament record to 0-5. Their previous attempts were in 1976, 1977, 2000, and 2001, making this year a bittersweet return.
As March Madness unfolds, stats show that nearly half of NCAA Tournament games see teams overcome deficits, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the tournament. The Crimson Tide now face fifth-seeded Texas Tech, setting up what promises to be an exciting matchup.
For more updates on the NCAA tournament, check out AP March Madness bracket and coverage details at AP March Madness.
