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

UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown at Madison Square Garden, No. 15 Alabama pulled off a stunning 103-96 upset against fifth-ranked St. John’s this afternoon. Labaron Philon Jr. led the charge with an impressive 25 points, sealing the victory with a deep 3-pointer that pushed Alabama ahead 98-88 with just two minutes left on the clock.

This victory marks an important early-season milestone for Alabama, now 2-0. The Crimson Tide exhibited exceptional skill and resilience, overcoming a formidable opponent in St. John’s, which saw its 12-game winning streak at MSG come to a halt. Alabama’s offensive strategy was on full display as they shot 48.1% from the field.

Philon’s performance was nothing short of stellar, going 10 of 17 from the field in his second consecutive high-scoring game. His clutch shooting helped Alabama establish a solid lead, especially during a pivotal late first-half run where they outscored St. John’s 16-6 to secure a halftime lead of 53-44.

Joining Philon in the scoring frenzy, Aden Holloway contributed 21 points after returning from a wrist injury, while teammates Taylor Bol Bowen and Latrell Wrightsell each added 17 points. Holloway and Wrightsell were key in hitting six of Alabama’s 11 three-pointers in their first appearance at Madison Square Garden since 2013-14.

The game was a rollercoaster, with St. John’s mounting a comeback in the second half. They briefly took the lead, 81-80, after a 3-pointer from Joson Sanon with 8:13 left. However, Alabama showcased their composure in the final minutes, executing crucial plays to secure the win.

St. John’s, now 1-1, saw standout performances from Zuby Ejiofor with 27 points, Bryce Hopkins with 19 points, and Ian Jackson contributing 14 points. Despite shooting 49.2%, they struggled at the free-throw line, missing 12 shots that could have changed the game’s outcome.

This victory sets the stage for Alabama as they prepare to face top-ranked Purdue on Thursday. Meanwhile, St. John’s will look to bounce back against William & Mary next Saturday night. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Alabama embarks on a challenging four-game stretch against ranked opponents, including Illinois and Gonzaga in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned for more updates as these teams continue their quest for success this season!