Overview
- The Crimson Tide closed with a decisive 14–1 burst, led by Labaron Philon’s 25 points and Aden Holloway’s 21 in his season debut, while Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Taylor Bol Bowen added 17 each.
- St. John’s got 27 points and 10 rebounds from Zuby Ejiofor and 19 from Bryce Hopkins, but the Red Storm went nearly five minutes without a field goal late.
- Turnovers swung the game as St. John’s committed 12 to Alabama’s seven, with the Tide recording nine steals, including four by Wrightsell.
- The defeat ended St. John’s 12-game Madison Square Garden winning streak and was the first time a Rick Pitino–coached Red Storm team allowed 100 points.
- Alabama owned the interior with a 54–40 edge in paint points and 14 offensive boards for 19 second-chance points; next up, the Tide host No. 1 Purdue on Thursday, while St. John’s faces William & Mary.