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Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Labaron Philon (0) shoots in the second half against the Hofstra Pride during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
The 4th seeded Tide got 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists from Labaron Philon and defeated 13th seeded Hofstra 90-70 on Friday afternoon in Tampa.
The Alabama Crimson Tide opened NCAA Tournament play on Friday afternoon in Tampa, FL. The 4th seeded Crimson Tide defeated the 13th seeded Hofstra Pride 90-70 in the game and advances to play 5th seeded Texas Tech on Sunday. The game will be in TBS and is scheduled for 8:45 p.m; CT.
With second leading scorer Aden Holloway unavailable after his arrest this week, the Tide had yet another different starting lineup. Coach Nate Oats went with the quartet of Labaron Philon, Latrell Wrightsell, Amari Allen, London Jemison, and Aiden Sherrell. Hofstra countered with Preston Edmead, Joshua Decady, Cruz Davis, German Plotinikov, and Silas Sunday.
The Tide started off fast with Jemison making a steal and a length of the court basket, Sherrell made a couple of free throws, and Philon made two quick baskets for an 8-2 lead. Taylor Bol Bowen came in and hit a three pointer and had a chance for an old fashioned three point play but missed the freebie. With 14:54 left in the half Bama led 13-9. The Pride took the lead at 18-16 with 11:39 left.
Hofstra went on a 16-2 run and led 28-18 with 8:55 remaining in the period. At this point the Tide was 2-11 from deep. Wrightsell finally took the lid off and drained a three for a 29-21 deficit with 7:59 left. Bol Bowen hit from deep and when Sherrell hit his second three pointer the Tide had retaken the lead at 33-32 with under two minuets on the clock. Hofstra briefly retook the lead but a Sherrell alley oop dunk and a Philon hoop gave the Tide a 37-35 half time lead.
In the half Bama shot 14-36 for 39%, 5-19 from three for 26%, and 4-5 at the free throw line. The Tide grabbed 22 rebounds- eight offensive-dished out nine assists, blocked one shot, had four steals, and committed four turnovers. Sherrell led the way with 12 points, eight rebounds, and one steal. Philon tossed in eight points with four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Bol Bowen added eight points of his own.
Hofstra shot 14-33 for 42%, 6-13 from three for 46%, and 1-2 at the charity stripe. The Pride had 21 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, three steals, and turned it over seven time. Davis scored nine and Plotnikov added eight points.
The same starters came out for the second half and took control early. After a quite first half, Allen got involved right from the get go, scoring the first basket and adding a three point play for a 44-35 lead with 18:16 left in the game. Philon took over in the second half and when he scored at the rim with 14:15 left Alabama led 52-41. An Allen three at the 12:10 pushed the lead to 13 at 59-46. Hofstra got a little run together and cut the lead to five at 64-59 with 8:50 remaining. Philon answered with a theee pointer, but the Pride kept answering to stay within reach. With 5:51 left Hofstra was within at 69-64 but the Tide finished on a 21-6 run to ruin any chance of an upset. To the delight of his teammates, Noah Williamson drained a corner three pointer to top off the scoring in the 90-70 victory.
Alabama shot 18-31 for 58% in the second half with 7-17 from three 41%, and 10-14 on free throws. Overall the Tide finished 32-67 for 48%, 12-36 for 33% from three, and 14-19 for 77% at the line. Bama had 46 rebounds with 17 on the offensive end, 16 assists, six blocks, six steals, and 10 turnovers. Philon was the best player on the floor as usual with 29 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. The All American did commit five turnovers while not having his sidekick Holloway to help with ball handling. Sherrell won the hard hat and had a huge game with 15 points, 15 rebounds, nine offensive rebounds, two blocks, one steal, and an assist. Bol Bowen stepped up when needed and scored 15 points with a pair of rebounds and three blocked shots. Wrightsell scored 11 with four rebounds, and Allen made strides with 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists, in his best game in the last three weeks. Jemison scored six points and had four rebounds.
Hofstra was 14-36 for 39% in the second half with 5-11 from three and 2-3 on free throws. Overall the Pride finished 28-69-39%, 11-24 for 46% from deep, and 3-5 on free throws. Hofstra totaled 34 rebounds, 12 assists, three blocks, six steals, and 12 turnovers. Edmead led the team with 24 points with four rebounds and four assists. Cruz added 14 points and six assists.
The Tide took care of business and advanced. Survive and advance is the mantra. Without Holloway someone needed to step up and Bol Bowen did just that, playing one of his better games in Crimson. Sherrell was an absolute beast down low and also stepped out to nail a pair of three pointers. Philon, as he has done multiple time this season, just took over the game and scored at will.
Roll Tide!
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