No. 2 seed Alabama narrowly escapes huge upset by No. 15 Robert Morris

No. 2-seeded Alabama held connected to bushed No. 15-seeded Robert Morris 90-81 successful the archetypal circular of the men’s NCAA tourney Friday astatine Rocket Arena successful Cleveland. 

At 1 point, Alabama was up 12 points successful the archetypal half, but Robert Morris battled backmost to chopped Alabama's pb to 40-36 astatine halftime. 

Robert Morris continued warring into the 2nd fractional and astatine 1 constituent took a 65-64 pb implicit Alabama with 7:10 near to play, putting the Crimson Tide connected upset alert.

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Alabama defender Mark Sears (1) reacts aft a triumph implicit Robert Morris successful the archetypal circular of the NCAA Tournament Friday, March 21, 2025, successful Cleveland.  (AP Photo/David Richard)

After that, Alabama went connected a 26-16 tally to adjacent retired the crippled and unafraid the win. 

Mark Sears and Clifford Omoruyi led the mode for the Crimson Tide successful the win. Sears had a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists, portion Omoruyi added 17 points connected cleanable 8-for-8 shooting.  

Alabama made 58.6% of its shots. 

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Alabama Crimson Tide defender Mark Sears reacts successful the 2nd fractional against the Robert Morris Colonials during the archetypal circular of the NCAA Tournament astatine Rocket Arena March 21, 2025.  (Rick Osentoski/Imagn Images)

Amarion Dickerson was 1 of 4 players who scored successful treble figures for Robert Morris successful the loss. 

Dickerson had 25 points portion snaring 9 rebounds, including six violative boards. Alvaro Folgueiras besides had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, portion Josh Omojafo had 12 points successful the loss. 

Robert Morris changeable 42.3% from the tract and conscionable 25.9% from 3-point range. 

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Robert Morris defender DJ Smith reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the archetypal circular of the NCAA Tournament astatine Rocket Arena March 21, 2025. (Rick Osentoski/Imagn Images)

Alabama volition play the victor of 10th-seeded Vanderbilt and No. 7 effect St. Mary’s of California successful the circular of 32. 

Robert Morris ended its play with a 26-9 record. 

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