(BCSNN) — Labaron Philon Jr. delivered a dominant second‑half performance, scoring 21 of his game‑high 29 points after halftime to lead No. 4 seed Alabama to a 90–70 win over 13th‑seeded Hofstra in Friday’s NCAA Tournament first round at Benchmark International Arena.

Alabama (24–9) trailed by 10 midway through the first half before closing on a 15–4 run to take a 37–35 lead into halftime — the sixth time this season the Crimson Tide have erased a double‑digit deficit in a victory.

Philon led five Alabama players in double figures and nearly posted a triple‑double, adding seven assists and eight rebounds. His 29 points pushed his season total to 681, breaking James “Hollywood” Robinson’s sophomore scoring record.

Aiden Sherrell recorded his third double‑double of the season with 15 points and a career‑high 15 rebounds, including nine offensive boards. Taylor Bol Bowen added 15 points on 6‑for‑9 shooting, while Amari Allen and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. each scored 11.

Hofstra (24–11) was led by Preston Edmead’s 24 points, while Cruz Davis added 14.

After shooting just 39 percent in the first half, Alabama erupted in the second, hitting 58 percent from the field and 7‑of‑17 from three. Philon and Allen combined for 20 of the Tide’s first 22 points of the half, helping Alabama build a double‑digit lead at 49–39.

Hofstra cut the margin to 69–64 with 5:55 remaining, but Alabama responded with a 6–0 burst and closed the game on a 19–4 run. The Tide dominated the glass 46–34, including a 17–13 edge in offensive rebounds, and outscored the Pride 38–22 in the paint and 19–9 in fast‑break points.

The 20‑point win is Alabama’s fourth‑largest margin of victory in NCAA Tournament play.

Alabama advances to face No. 5 seed Texas Tech on Sunday. Game time and TV details will be announced Friday night.