Alabama basketball's recent NCAA Tournament victory over Hofstra was all about Labaron Philon. In a decisive 90-70 win, the Crimson Tide's standout sophomore guard took center stage, stepping up big time with teammate Aden Holloway sidelined due to suspension.
Philon was electric, dropping 29 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including three treys out of seven attempts. He wasn't just scoring, though; he filled the stat sheet with eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, though he did have five turnovers.
This performance adds another chapter to Philon's impressive season, as he now holds the fifth spot for most points in a single season by an Alabama player, with 681 points. Mark Sears still holds the record with 797 points from the 2023-24 season.
The first half saw Alabama struggling to find their rhythm, and Philon wasn't the focal point early on. He made three of his six shots, contributing eight of the team's 37 points before halftime.
But the second half was a different story. Once Philon lost his headband, he turned into the offensive dynamo Alabama relies on.
He hit seven of 12 shots, pouring in 21 points in the second half alone. With Philon leading the charge, Alabama shot a sizzling 53% from the field after the break, sealing the victory over Hofstra.
Up next, No. 4 Alabama faces No. 5 Texas Tech in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 22.