Alabama Rolls Into Sweet 16 In Defensive Victory

Cleveland, Ohio. - Alabama defeated Robert Morris 90-81 to advance to the Round of 32 in the 2025 NCAA tournament. The opponent: The Saint Mary's Gaels, who defeated Vanderbilt 59-56 to clash with the Crimson Tide on Sunday with a chance to go to the Sweet 16 on the line.

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The Crimson Tide started the game trying to go up-tempo, scoring early on a pair of baskets by Chris Youngblood. Rebounding was a big point of emphasis for Oats going into Sunday's game, and Alabama appeared to heed the call early with multiple boards on the glass. The Crimson Tide were leading at the first media timeout.

The Tide was bitten by the turnover bug early, with five in the first eight minutes of play. Despite the turnovers, it was a tie game at the under 12-minute media timeout. The Crimson Tide faced a tough challenge, with Mark Sears sitting on the bench with two fouls and Chris Youngblood (the leading scorer at the time) also resting. Neither team was averaging high points per possession (both were under .900) as the team began to find their groove against one another.

With Sears on the bench, Alabama needed to look for others to step up and make plays. One was Youngblood, who worked back into the lineup after the under-12-minute timeout. Youngblood was the first Alabama player to score double-digit points and was the highest +/- player for Alabama with 8. The Crimson Tide put a little, but not much, distance between themselves and the Gaels with a slim four-point lead.

Alabama began to put a little more distance between themselves and Saint Mary's in the next "four-minute frame." A couple of big shots by Mouhamed Dioubate and a fast break dunk from Clifford Omoruyi pushed the Tide's lead to 10 quickly. Alabama needed to increase Saint Mary's pace of play if they hoped to win, and so far, the Tide was playing winning basketball.

Heading into halftime, Alabama had a lot of confidence, extending its lead to 13 just before the mid-game break.

Turnovers were a point of concern, with the Tide having eight in the first half, while the Gaels had zero, Despite the turnover difference, Alabama shot 55 percent from the field and 56 percent from three-point range to build the lead. Alabama still had its work cut out for it, though over the final 20 minutes.

The second half started with Saint Mary's coming out hot, scoring 1.500 points per possession within the first five minutes of the second half, while also controlling the glass 6-3 over Alabama. The Crimson Tide began to work the lob from the guards to Clifford Omoruyi once again, resulting in Alabama matching the pace early in the second half.

The Tide's defense rose to the occasion, slowing down what was becoming a high-energy Saint Mary's offense, led by Jordan Ross. Before the 12-minute media timeout, Saint Mary's had made just one of its previous four attempts.

Despite the attempts by Saint Mary's, Alabama was keeping the Gaels at arm's length, not allowing them to bring the game within striking distance for much of the second half. However, Crimson Tide fans were still on pins and needles, as Alabama could not extend the lead by more than 13 points for much of the second half. The game felt like it was teetering, waiting for one team to capitalize and either blow it open or complete the comeback.

Despite the teetering, waiting for one team to take full control of the game, neither team did. Alabama and Saint Mary's ran stride for stride with one another to end the game - the Crimson Tide scored two, and the Gaels scored two. Alabama got two free throws, and Saint Mary's got two free throws.

One area Alabama needed to win, and did, was the boards. Alabama was handled in that department until Grant Nelson entered the game on Friday against Robert Morris, but it was a different story on Sunday. Alabama, led by Clifford Omoruyi and Grant Nelson, out-rebounded Saint Mary's 41-36.

Alabama kept Saint Mary's just far enough back to secure an 80-66 victory, heading back to the Sweet 16 for the third straight season, and the 12th time in program history.

Alabama Stat Leaders

Points: Chris Youngblood - 13 points
Rebounds: Clifford Omoruyi - 11 rebounds
Assists: Labaron Philon - 5 assists

Alabama Players in Double Digit Points

Chris Youngblood - 13
Mouhamed Dioubate - 10
Aden Holloway - 12
Grant Nelson - 12
Mark Sears - 12
Clifford Omoruyi - 10

The Alabama Crimson Tide will play against the BYU Cougars in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, March 27. The tip-off time is to be announced.

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Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.