Alabama Advances, Philon Shines in N-C-A-A Win

0:00On March 20th, number four seed, Alabama kicked off their NCAA double. A tournament run with a solid 90-70 win over number 13 seed. Hofstra and Tampa, Florida. The Crimson Tide advanced to the round of 32, despite missing their second leading score, Aiden Holloway. Hofstra, the Coastal Athletic Association, champs making their first tournament trip since 2001, put up a fight early, but couldn't sustain. It, Alabama entered after a close loss to Ole Miss in the SEC tournament quarter finals, while Hofstra wrote a three-game winning streak to claim there. Conference title, the Pride Grab Momentum with a double-digit lead, midway through the first half, thanks to strong rebounding and hot shooting. But the tie chipped away with timely defense and took a slim two-point edge at halftime, 37-35. Fans in the arena got rowdy as Hofstra's crowd voice support, even drawing some trash talk from Alabama's LeBaron Philone after a big three-pointer. The game highlighted the tides athletic edge,

1:02wearing down the smaller pride over 40 minutes. This marks Alabama's latest March madness appearance in a history full of deep runs, including a final four-spot last year. In the second half, Alabama pulled away with double-digit leads, fueled by Philon's 11 points early and more from Amari Allen. Philon ended with 29 points total and even a late three from Noah Williamson sealed it. Officials noted the tides length overwhelmed Hofstra down the stretch. Now Alabama faces Texas Tech on Sunday with a sweet 16-birth in Chicago, up for grabs after the Red Raiders handled Akron earlier. The Crimson Tide looked poised to build on their strong season.