Alabama survives, advances past Robert Morris, 90-81

Yahoo

21-03-2025

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Alabama basketball took on Robert Morris in its first game of the NCAA Tournament Friday. It was the Crimson Tide who were able to survive and advance, 90-81.
The Colonials gave the Crimson Tide everything they could handle, as Alabama only led by four at halftime. The second half continued in that direction as Robert Morris actually took a one-point lead in the second half, but Alabama's depth and size proved too much down the stretch. Bama didn't have its best shooting night, as they only shot 28.6% from behind the arc, but points in the paint and free throws gave them a boost.
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Alabama will face the winner of Saint Mary's and Vanderbilt on Sunday.
Here's the biggest takeaway following the win:
How does Alabama get outrebounded by Robert Morris?
The answer to this question is quite simple… effort. Alabama had a clear advantage in size and length, but managed to get outrebounded by the Colonials, especially on the offensive side. Robert Morris finished with 10 more offensive rebounds, with the advantage being 16-5.
For Alabama fans, that's a concerning stat because effort can be controlled. Whether its playing down to competition or not, Alabama must be better if they hope to make a deep run.
Clifford Omoruyi, Mo Dioubate, and Mark Sears were big-time
At halftime, Omoruyi was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field and led all scorers with 15. His size was an advantage for the Crimson Tide as they relied on him down-low against an undersized Colonials team.
Dioubate continued to bring toughness and physicality for the team as usual, but he also added much-needed scoring. He finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.
Sears got off to a slow start in the first half, but when the team needed its first-team All-American, he came through. His playmaking was exceptional as he finished with 10 assists to go along with 22 points.
Nate Oats used the Grant Nelson lifeline
Nelson was listed as available after suffering a knee injury in the SEC Tournament against Florida, and most would've assumed he wasn't going to play and would be back for the second round. But with Robert Morris cutting the lead down to four at one point and having all of the momentum, Oats put in Nelson to bring versatility down low. Nelson filled in for Omoruyi for the end of the second half, and helped Alabama be able to stretch the floor and create driving lanes.
The Nelson substitution proved to be a game-changer for the Tide though, as Nelson finished with four points and three rebounds.
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