Alabama Upsets St. John’s 103-96 Behind Philon’s 25 Points

UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown at Madison Square Garden, the No. 15 Alabama Crimson Tide pulled off a stunning upset against fifth-ranked St. John’s Red Storm, winning 103-96 on October 28, 2023. Labaron Philon Jr. was the star of the game, scoring 25 points and sealing the victory with a clutch three-pointer that put Alabama ahead 98-88 with just two minutes remaining.

The urgency of this match was palpable, as Alabama (2-0) faced a formidable opponent in St. John’s (1-1), who had been riding a 12-game winning streak at MSG. Philon’s impressive performance comes on the heels of another strong outing, shooting 10 of 17 from the field. His contributions were crucial as Alabama weathered a comeback attempt from St. John’s and executed flawlessly in the final minutes of the game.

Aden Holloway, returning from a wrist injury, also made a significant impact, adding 21 points to Alabama’s total. The Crimson Tide’s overall shooting was sharp, with a field goal percentage of 48.1%. Holloway and teammate Latrell Wrightsell each hit critical three-pointers, combining for six of Alabama’s 11 three-pointers in the game.

Alabama took control late in the first half, outscoring St. John’s 16-6 to lead 53-44 at halftime. The Crimson Tide initially extended their lead to ten points in the second half, but St. John’s fought back fiercely, even taking an 81-80 lead with 8:13 left in the game.

Despite their strong efforts, St. John’s struggled at the free-throw line, missing 12 free throws throughout the match. Zuby Ejiofor was a standout for the Red Storm, scoring 27 points, while teammates Bryce Hopkins and Ian Jackson added 19 and 14 points, respectively.

Looking ahead, Alabama will face another formidable challenge as they host top-ranked Purdue on Thursday. Meanwhile, St. John’s will attempt to rebound against William & Mary next Saturday night. This match has set the stage for a thrilling season of college basketball, with Alabama showcasing their potential as a contender.

Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses and teams vie for dominance in the NCAA landscape.