CLEVELAND — In a thrilling opening to the first round of the NCAA Tournament, All-America guard Mark Sears propelled Alabama to a victory with 19 of his 22 points coming in the second half, allowing the second-seeded team to narrowly defeat 15th-seeded Robert Morris, 90-81. Despite the tough competition from the Colonials, the Crimson Tide (27-8) managed to pull through.
Robert Morris gave an unexpected challenge, taking their first lead at 65-64 with a layup by Josh Omojafo that energized the crowd at Rocket Arena. However, Sears led Alabama’s response, scoring seven points in an 11-2 run that created some distance for the team against the determined Horizon League champions. Despite being heavy underdogs with a 22-1/2 point gap predicted by BetMGM Sportsbook, Robert Morris (26-9) nearly orchestrated a major upset after a relatively uneventful first day of games.
The Crimson Tide, however, managed to gather themselves and advance to the next round, where they will meet either Saint Mary’s or Vanderbilt on Sunday. Cleveland native Amarion Dickerson was essential for the Colonials, scoring 25 points. His impressive performance in the second half, featuring several high-energy plays, significantly reduced an Alabama 10-point lead.
Alabama faced a moment of concern when forward Grant Nelson, who had been questionable due to a knee injury, entered the game midway through the second half. Nelson’s impact was felt when he executed a commanding two-handed dunk, extending the Crimson Tide’s lead to double digits with just over two minutes to play. Clifford Omoruyi of Alabama also shone, posting a season-high 17 points and making all his attempts, largely through dunks.
Key Takeaways:
Robert Morris showed resilience under longtime coach Andy Toole in their fifth season within the Horizon League. Toole, who is a Penn graduate, might see his name come up for coaching vacancies as his success continues to grow, although he has repeatedly expressed satisfaction with his long tenure at Robert Morris since 2007.
Alabama demonstrated composure under pressure, managing to fend off the aggressive push from Robert Morris despite losing momentum and facing a partisan crowd. Sears overcame a shaky start, and Nelson confirmed his physical readiness by contributing effectively during the limited time he was on the floor.
Looking ahead, the Crimson Tide will seek to secure their fourth Sweet 16 berth in the past five years with their game on Sunday.