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New York, NY – There’s nothing better than two of college basketball’s finest meeting for a showdown at the mecca and that’s exactly what we got between #5 ranked St. John’s and #15 ranked Alabama. In a high-scoring battle that stayed tight well into the second half, Alabama eventually pulled away for a 103–96 win, but the game was filled with standout performances on both sides.
St. John’s came out strong behind its frontcourt duo of Bryce Hopkins and Zuby Ejiofor, with Ejiofor mainly dominating the first half. He scored 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting before halftime, punishing Alabama inside and forcing the Crimson Tide into some early foul trouble, playing a key role in the Red Storm attempting 23 first-half free throws. Even more notable was Ejiofor knocking down jumpers, including two threes, something rarely seen last season when he made just 14 jumpers total. His shooting gave St. John’s another perimeter threat that they needed today.
On the Alabama side, the backcourt of Labaron Philon and Aden Holloway carried the offense early, combining for 25 points in the first half. Holloway, returning from injury, looked poised and confident with 15 of those points on efficient shooting. Latrell Wrightsell, also making his season debut, gave them perimeter scoring and spacing. Alabama’s pace and three-point efficiency helped them take a 53–44 lead into halftime.
At halftime, St. John’s needed more from its guards, who were just 1-for-10 from the field. They responded. Ian Jackson and Oziyah Sellers came alive in the second half, both finishing with 14 points. They attacked downhill, used ball-handling creativity to open driving lanes, and put pressure on Alabama’s guards defensively. This sparked a run that brought the Red Storm back into striking distance and had the garden rocking at points in the second half.
But Alabama did not fold. The second half turned into the Labaron Philon show, with Taylor Bol Bowen as his co-star two-way contributor. After a quieter first half, Philon controlled the game after the break. He manipulated pick-and-roll switches, created spacing off the dribble, finished at the rim, and generated playmaking advantages even when they didn’t show directly in his stats on the day. His poise and craftiness highlighted why he is projected as a potential lottery pick for the 2026 NBA Draft
Meanwhile, Bowen provided energy and toughness, finishing with 17 points and 9 rebounds while playing both the four and small-ball five roles. His rim protection, physicality, and defensive presence helped slow Ejiofor’s interior dominance from the first half. Bowen’s impact wasn’t just on the stat sheet he was a stabilizer during key possessions that prevented St. John’s from fully flipping the game in their favor.
Alabama’s mini-run late in the second half ultimately sealed the game, but the performance from both teams showed why each has high expectations this season.
For Alabama, the guard trio of Philon, Holloway, and Wrightsell was the main difference. Philon dictated tempo and also showed some NBA-level shot creation as well. Holloway complemented him as a secondary handler who could break down defenders with quickness and shot creation in ball screen situations. Wrightsell spaced the floor, stayed aggressive as a shooter, and made his presence felt defensively, in which he had four of Alabama’s nine steals. When these three guards are playing at this level, Alabama can beat anyone in the country.
For St. John’s, the main takeaway is that the core pieces showed high upside as a unit. Ejiofor looks to be carrying over his paint dominance with some willingness to expand his offensive range. Hopkins provided some steadiness and physicality. Jackson and Sellers showcased the ability to create off the bounce and attack the rim, something last year’s team lacked at times. The question moving forward is consistency, particularly perimeter shooting. The mechanics and confidence have shown improvement, but St. John’s will need reliable shot making from its guards to reach its maximum ceiling.
Still, there are clear positives. This year’s St. John’s backcourt is more dynamic, with players who can create their own offense instead of relying solely on sets or post up possessions. If that translates on a night-to-night basis, St. John’s will remain one of the toughest teams in the country again and a major threat to make a deep NCAA Tournament run, something last season’s historic team fell short of achieving.
Despite the loss, St. John’s showed resilience and improved offensive explosiveness, while Alabama reminded the country that they should not be slept on and displayed just how dangerous their roster can be. If this matchup is any indicator, both teams should be expected to stay near the top of the rankings as the season goes on.
This article was written by Jordan Amadeo, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.
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