The Hofstra Pride men’s basketball saw its season come to an end Friday with a 90-70 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball in the NCAA March Tournament matchup in Florida, as second-half rebounding and depth helped Alabama pull away.
Hofstra came out strong early, using its guard-heavy lineup led by Cruz Davis and freshman Preston Edmead to keep the game competitive. The Pride even built an early lead before Alabama responded and took a 37-35 edge into halftime.
From the start, Alabama applied heavy pressure on Hofstra’s backcourt. The Crimson Tide frequently double-teamed the Pride’s guards, forcing turnovers and limiting clean offensive looks. That pressure disrupted Hofstra’s rhythm, especially in the early.
Despite that, Hofstra showed fight. The Pride held their own on the boards early and stayed within reach throughout the first half. But Alabama adjusted after the break, using its size and shooting to take control.
The turning point came in the second half, when Alabama dominated the glass and capitalized on second-chance opportunities. Hofstra allowed 17 offensive rebounds, a number head coach Speedy Claxton pointed to as a major factor in the loss.
“In a tournament like this, you’re gonna have to play perfect basketball,” Claxton said. Some of the reasons why they lost were the number of rebounds they were giving up.
Alabama’s offense was led by Labaron Philon Jr., who finished with a game-high 29 points, helping the Crimson Tide turn a close game into a double-digit win.
For Hofstra, Edmead delivered one of the standout performances. The freshman guard scored 24 points on 9-of-25 shooting, leading the Pride offense and adding four assists. His effort was a bright spot for Hofstra, showing poise and confidence on a big stage.
Davis added 14 points and 6 assists, continuing to be a factor even as Alabama focused heavily on slowing him down.
Even without its second-leading scorer, Aden Holloway, who the team suspended, Alabama’s depth proved too much. The Crimson Tide used its size and shooting ability to extend the lead to as many as 20 points in the second half.
Hofstra’s early energy and effort kept the game close, but Alabama’s rebounding advantage and scoring depth ultimately created separation. The Crimson Tide outscored Hofstra 53-35 in the second half to seal the win.
After the game, players reflected on the season with pride rather than disappointment. Edmead, coming off a standout freshman year, emphasized growth moving forward.
“Staying uncomfortable — that’s my main thing,” Edmead said. “Just staying in the gym, staying focused and listening to my coaches.”
Graduate student German Plotnikov also looked back on his four years with gratitude, calling his time at Hofstra a meaningful experience.
The loss ended what players described as a historic season for Hofstra, which included a conference title and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
While the final score showed a 20-point gap, the game was much closer early on. In the end, Alabama’s size, rebounding, and second-half run made the difference, closing the door on Hofstra’s season — but not on the program’s momentum heading into the future.
