Lead: In Tampa on March 20, 2026, No. 4 seed Alabama rallied from an early double-digit deficit to defeat 13th-seeded Hofstra 90-70 in a Midwest Region first-round game. Labaron Philon Jr. paced the Crimson Tide with 29 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, including a 21-point second-half outburst. Alabama (24-9) closed the half on a 19-7 run and pulled away after Hofstra briefly threatened late. The win advances Alabama to meet No. 5 seed Texas Tech in the second round.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Alabama 90, Hofstra 70; game played March 20, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.
- Labaron Philon Jr. led Alabama with 29 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, scoring 21 points after halftime.
- Preston Edmead scored 24 points for Hofstra; Cruz Davis added 14 and German Plotnikov 11.
- Sherrell posted a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double for Alabama; Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Amari Allen each had 11 points.
- Alabama shot 12-of-36 (33.3%) from 3-point range and missed 13 of its first 16 attempts from deep.
- Attendance was 17,769; Hofstra remains 0-5 all-time in NCAA Tournament play after this loss.
- Alabama will face Texas Tech (23-10), which advanced after a 20-point win over Akron earlier the same day.
Background
The matchup featured a nationally seeded Crimson Tide coming off a 24-9 season and a Hofstra program making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001. Hofstra (24-11) returned to the field after missing the canceled 2020 tournament and arrived with momentum from a strong finish to its season. Alabama entered the bracket as the 4-seed in the Midwest and carried expectations to reach the later rounds under coach Nate Oats.
Hofstra’s program history includes the early-2000s teams led by Speedy Claxton, who later coached the Pride and whose legacy helped the program reach March. Alabama, meanwhile, adjusted its rotation after suspending guard Aden Holloway indefinitely following an arrest on a felony drug charge; Holloway did not play. The absence shifted ball-handling and scoring responsibilities onto Philon and supporting cast members.
Main Event
Hofstra opened aggressively and built a double-digit lead in the first half, forcing Alabama to chase. The Crimson Tide responded with a 19-7 closing run before halftime that erased the deficit and swung momentum. In the second half Philon took control, scoring repeatedly in transition and hitting a key long 3-pointer that helped extend Alabama’s lead.
Hofstra mounted a late comeback attempt when Preston Edmead’s 3 pulled the Pride within 67-62 with just over seven minutes left, and Victory Onuetu’s dunk made it 69-64. A crowd of 17,769 energized the arena behind the underdogs, but Alabama countered with a decisive surge. Philon’s layup and a trey during that sequence pushed the margin back to double digits, and Taylor Bol Bowen’s two dunks and a 3-pointer capped the run as the lead reached 20.
The Tide’s supporting scorers stepped up as well: Aiden Sherrell compiled a 15-and-15 double-double, while Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Amari Allen added 11 points apiece. For Hofstra, Edmead’s 24 carried the offense but the Pride struggled on the offensive glass and in defensive execution late. Alabama finished stronger and controlled the closing minutes to secure the win.
Analysis & Implications
Alabama’s comeback showed the program’s depth and ability to adjust midgame. Erasing a 10-point deficit at the break required defensive stops and an uptick in transition scoring; Philon’s late-game shotmaking masked the team’s early perimeter struggles. The Tide’s 12-of-36 mark from three indicates inconsistency from long range, but balanced inside play and timely scoring filled the gap.
Hofstra’s path to the tournament underscored the program’s resurgence, yet the Pride’s recurring problem on the offensive glass—conceding 17 offensive rebounds—proved costly. In single-elimination play, teams with limited size or depth can be punished by second-chance points; Claxton’s group needed near-perfect execution to pull an upset and fell short in key phases.
Looking ahead, Alabama’s matchup with Texas Tech will test different defensive looks and athleticism. Texas Tech’s earlier 20-point win over Akron signals a team capable of controlling tempo and defending the perimeter, so Alabama must address its early-game lapses and three-point timing. For Hofstra, the loss will be measured as progress in program trajectory, with NCAA exposure likely to help recruiting and visibility.
Comparison & Data
| Stat | Alabama | Hofstra |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 90 | 70 |
| Top Scorer | Labaron Philon Jr. — 29 | Preston Edmead — 24 |
| Notable Double-Double | Aiden Sherrell — 15 pts, 15 reb | — |
| 3-Point Shooting | 12-of-36 (33.3%) | — |
| Attendance | 17,769 | |
The table summarizes the game’s core box-score elements and context: Philon’s efficiency (10-of-18 FG) contrasted with Alabama’s early cold streak from deep (missed 13 of first 16 threes). Hofstra’s scoring was concentrated through Edmead, but the Pride’s inability to limit second-chance opportunities was decisive.
Reactions & Quotes
“Our pace kind of broke them down a little bit and we just started running.”
Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama guard
Philon emphasized tempo and transition as the keys to Alabama’s turnaround, noting his role distributing the ball and finishing in the second half.
“They came in expecting to win … I think they got frustrated late.”
Nate Oats, Alabama head coach
Oats pointed to Hofstra’s mentality and the Tide’s late defensive resilience as factors in the result, framing the win as a response to early adversity.
“Proud of my guys’ effort … It’s tough when you give up 17 offensive rebounds.”
Speedy Claxton, Hofstra head coach
Claxton highlighted the rebounding margin as a critical shortcoming and reflected on the level of precision required for an upset in March Madness.
Unconfirmed
- At the time of publication there is no independent confirmation of timelines or legal details regarding Aden Holloway’s indefinite suspension beyond team statements.
Bottom Line
Alabama survived an early deficit and leveraged Labaron Philon Jr.’s second-half scoring surge to beat Hofstra 90-70 and advance in the Midwest Region. The Tide’s ability to flip momentum before halftime and finish strongly masked continued perimeter inconsistency that merits attention versus sturdier defenses.
Hofstra leaves March with a program-building appearance and a 24-win season, but the Pride must address rebounding and depth if it hopes to translate tournament invitations into wins. Alabama now shifts focus to a second-round test against Texas Tech, where discipline on defense and cleaner three-point shooting will be determining factors.