Alabama Crimson Tide Advances to Second Round with 90-81 Win Over Robert Morris Colonials

The 2025 NCAA Tournament kicked off with one of the most exciting matchups in recent memory, as the Alabama Crimson Tide faced the Robert Morris Colonials in the first round of the East Region. Despite the 2-seed Alabama being heavily favored against the 15-seed Colonials, the game turned into a thrilling back-and-forth affair that kept fans on the edge of their seats. After a strong second-half push, Alabama emerged victorious with a 90-81 win, advancing to the second round of the tournament.

The game, played at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 21, 2025, was far from the cakewalk many anticipated. The Robert Morris Colonials, led by senior guard Amarion Dickerson, came into the game with nothing to lose and played with the kind of intensity and passion that often fuels upsets in March Madness. While Alabama’s offensive firepower eventually won out, the Colonials gave the Crimson Tide all they could handle.

The Beginning: High Expectations for Alabama

Alabama entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the East Region, a ranking that reflected their dominance throughout the regular season and the SEC Tournament. Coach Nate Oats’ squad boasted a high-powered offense, led by standout players like Mark Sears, Jahvon Quinerly, and big man Clifford Omoruyi. Alabama’s fast-paced, high-scoring style had been effective all year, and their overwhelming depth made them one of the favorites to make a deep run in the tournament.

On the other hand, Robert Morris was the quintessential underdog. The Colonials had earned their spot in the tournament by winning the Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament, and their first-round matchup against Alabama represented an opportunity to prove themselves on a national stage. Despite their lower seed, Robert Morris came into the game confident after a solid season, and they would not back down from the challenge.

First Half: Robert Morris Shocks Alabama

From the opening tip, it was clear that Robert Morris would not be intimidated. The Colonials came out with an aggressive defensive strategy that disrupted Alabama’s offensive flow. Robert Morris deployed a full-court press that forced several turnovers early on and kept the Crimson Tide on their heels. While Alabama’s athleticism and speed were apparent, the Colonials’ defense was relentless, contesting every shot and forcing the Tide to play at a much slower pace than they were accustomed to.

Amarion Dickerson, Robert Morris’ star player, was sensational in the first half. He led the Colonials with 14 points and was a constant threat from beyond the arc. His ability to knock down three-pointers and score in transition gave Robert Morris a surprising advantage. The Colonials were also effective on the glass, outrebounding Alabama 18-14 in the first half, limiting the Crimson Tide’s second-chance opportunities.

Despite a strong start from Robert Morris, Alabama’s talent began to shine through. Mark Sears hit a couple of key three-pointers, and Omoruyi was dominant inside, adding 10 points and 6 rebounds in the first half. However, Alabama’s offense was uncharacteristically inconsistent, with turnovers and missed shots keeping them from pulling away.

The first half ended with Robert Morris holding a 36-34 lead. The small school had shocked the basketball world by taking it to the heavily favored Crimson Tide, leaving fans and analysts wondering if another upset was on the horizon.

Second Half: Alabama Pulls Away

Coach Nate Oats and his team regrouped during halftime, and Alabama came out of the break with a renewed sense of urgency. The Crimson Tide quickly tied the game at 36-36, with Sears knocking down a jump shot and Omoruyi continuing to control the paint. Oats made a defensive adjustment, focusing on limiting Robert Morris’ three-point shooting and making sure that Dickerson, who had been so effective in the first half, didn’t have the same room to operate.

For a while, it seemed like Alabama was going to pull away. The Crimson Tide took a 10-point lead midway through the second half, thanks to a series of fast breaks and improved shooting. Sears, who had struggled with his shot in the first half, found his rhythm, scoring 19 of his game-high 22 points in the second half. Quinerly also stepped up, contributing key assists and making a few clutch baskets to push Alabama’s lead to double digits.

However, Robert Morris wasn’t done yet. The Colonials responded with a run of their own, cutting the lead to just 4 points with under 3 minutes to play. Dickerson continued to make plays, and Robert Morris hit some key shots to keep the game within reach. The upset was still very much alive.

The Final Minutes: Alabama Holds On

With the clock winding down, Alabama’s experience and depth ultimately made the difference. Omoruyi scored 6 of his 18 points in the final minutes, and his presence in the paint was too much for Robert Morris to handle. The Colonials’ defense, which had been so effective in the first half, began to wear down as Alabama’s offense found its rhythm. The Crimson Tide finished the game strong, hitting free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

By the time the final buzzer sounded, Alabama had secured a 90-81 win, but it was clear that the Crimson Tide had been tested. Robert Morris, though disappointed with the loss, could hold their heads high. They had given one of the best teams in the country all they could handle and showed the kind of grit and determination that defines March Madness.

Key Players: Alabama’s Stars Step Up

While it was a team effort, a few key players for Alabama stood out during the game:

Mark Sears (Alabama): Sears finished with 22 points, including 19 in the second half. He also had 6 assists, showcasing his ability to facilitate Alabama’s offense. His clutch shooting in the second half helped Alabama recover from a shaky first half and ultimately win the game.
Clifford Omoruyi (Alabama): The big man was a force inside, contributing 18 points and 11 rebounds. Omoruyi’s presence in the paint was crucial for Alabama’s success, especially when Robert Morris made a late push.
Amarion Dickerson (Robert Morris): The senior guard led all scorers with 25 points. His performance was exceptional, as he knocked down 4 three-pointers and kept the Colonials in the game with his scoring and leadership. Dickerson also had 4 assists and 5 rebounds, proving that he could do more than just score.
Alvaro Folgueiras (Robert Morris): The forward provided valuable support for Dickerson, scoring 12 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. His hustle and defense helped keep Robert Morris competitive throughout the game.

Statistical Breakdown

Field Goals: Alabama shot 58.6% (34-58) from the field, a testament to their offensive firepower. Robert Morris shot 42.3% (33-78), which reflected their more deliberate offensive style.
Three-Point Shooting: Alabama made 6 of 21 three-pointers (28.6%), while Robert Morris hit 7 of 27 (25.9%).
Free Throws: Alabama was the more aggressive team at the free-throw line, converting 16 of 24 attempts (66.7%), compared to Robert Morris’ 8 of 13 (61.5%).
Rebounds: Robert Morris won the battle of the boards, pulling down 39 rebounds to Alabama’s 37. However, Alabama dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 16 offensive rebounds to Robert Morris’ 5.
Turnovers: Alabama committed 14 turnovers, while Robert Morris had 13. Turnovers were a key area of concern for both teams, especially in the first half.

Looking Ahead: Alabama’s Next Challenge

With the win, Alabama advances to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, where they will face the winner of the matchup between the No. 7 seed Saint Mary’s Gaels and the No. 10 seed Vanderbilt Commodores. Saint Mary’s, which defeated Vanderbilt in a close first-round game, is known for its defensive prowess and balanced offense. The Gaels have had a strong season in the West Coast Conference, and they will present a formidable challenge for Alabama.

For Alabama, the key to advancing to the Sweet 16 will be improving their defensive consistency and minimizing turnovers. While their offensive firepower is undeniable, the Crimson Tide will need to be more disciplined defensively, especially against a well-coached team like Saint Mary’s.