Alabama Barely Dodges Upset in Thrilling NCAA Clash Against Robert Morris

Alabama's Crimson Tide, the No. 2 seed, managed to keep their championship hopes alive by fending off a spirited comeback from No. 15-seeded Robert Morris, securing a 90-81 victory in the first round of the men’s NCAA tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.

What started as a comfortable 12-point lead in the first half for Alabama quickly turned into a nail-biter. By halftime, Robert Morris had clawed their way back to narrow the gap to just four points, trailing 40-36.

The second half saw Robert Morris ramping up the pressure, even taking the lead 65-64 with just over seven minutes left. At that moment, the Crimson Tide found themselves teetering on the edge of an embarrassing first-round exit.

But Alabama regrouped and finished strong, going on a decisive 26-16 run to close out the game. Key players Mark Sears and Clifford Omoruyi proved pivotal in this stretch. Sears recorded an impressive double-double with 22 points and 10 assists, while Omoruyi was flawless, scoring 17 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting performance. The Crimson Tide’s 58.6% shooting from the field showcased their offensive efficiency.

On the other side, Robert Morris delivered a gutsy performance. Amarion Dickerson, with 25 points and nine rebounds—six of which were offensive—kept the game competitive, while teammates Alvaro Folgueiras and Josh Omojafo chipped in with notable contributions. Folgueiras also had a double-double, posting 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Omojafo added 12 points.

Despite their valiant effort, Robert Morris struggled to convert from beyond the arc, shooting just 25.9% from three-point range, which ultimately hampered their upset bid. They conclude their remarkable season with a 26-9 record.

Alabama now advances to face the winner of the 10th-seeded Vanderbilt and No. 7 seed St. Mary’s clash in the round of 32. The Crimson Tide will have to tighten their defense if they want to avoid another scare like this one.