NEW YORK — Labaron Philon Jr. scored 25 points as No. 15 Alabama passed an early-season nonconference test with a 103-96 victory over fifth-ranked St. John’s on Saturday afternoon.
Philon helped Alabama clinch the win with a deep 3-pointer for a 98-88 lead with two minutes remaining. He shot 10-of-17 from the field in his second straight strong performance as Alabama took control late in the first half, withstood a comeback and executed in the final minutes.
Aden Holloway added 21 points after sitting out the season opener with a wrist injury as the Crimson Tide (2-0) shot 48.1%. Taylor Bol Bowen and Latrell Wrightsell contributed 17 points each for Alabama, which impressively started a run of four straight games against ranked teams. The Crimson Tide will face top-ranked Purdue, Illinois and Gonzaga after Saturday.
Holloway and Wrightsell were a combined 15-of-31 from the floor and hit six of Alabama’s 11 3-pointers in the Crimson Tide’s first appearance at Madison Square Garden since 2013-14.
Zuby Ejiofor scored 27 points for the Red Storm (1-1), who had a 12-game winning streak at MSG stopped. Bryce Hopkins added 19 and Ian Jackson finished with 14 as St. John’s shot 49.2% but missed 12 free throws.
Alabama ended the first half by outscoring St. John’s 16-6 and took a 53-44 halftime lead on a 3 by Holloway at the buzzer. The Crimson Tide held a 10-point lead early in the second before St. John’s stormed back, getting an 81-80 lead on a 3-pointer by Joson Sanon with 8:13 left.
Alabama hosts Purdue on Thursday, while St. John’s hosts William & Mary next Saturday night.