Ole Miss Stuns Alabama 80-79 in SEC Tournament Thriller: Labaron Philon's 28 Points Not Enough
The Ole Miss Rebels knocked out Alabama basketball in one of the most dramatic games of the SEC Tournament Friday night, defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 80-79 in a breathtaking one-possession finish. Labaron Philon Jr. erupted for 28 points on 71.4% three-point shooting, but it was not enough as Ole Miss held on to advance.
Ole Miss vs Alabama Final Score: MISS 80, ALA 79
Alabama trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half before mounting a furious second-half comeback. The Crimson Tide outscored Ole Miss 38-33 in the second half to pull within one, but the Rebels made just enough plays down the stretch to escape with the victory. The game came down to the final possession, with Alabama unable to convert the tying or go-ahead basket.
Ole Miss led 47-41 at halftime after controlling the first 20 minutes from wire to wire. Alabama's second-half surge — fueled entirely by Philon and Aden Holloway — nearly completed a stunning comeback before falling one point short.
Labaron Philon Jr. Heroic but Falls Short for Alabama
Labaron Philon Jr. was spectacular in a losing effort, finishing with 28 points on 9-of-16 shooting including a jaw-dropping 5-of-7 performance from three-point range. He added 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and drew 3 fouls. Philon was the engine of Alabama's entire second-half rally and gave the Crimson Tide every chance to win.
Aden Holloway added 18 points off the bench on 2-of-3 from three, and Aiden Sherrell chipped in 14 points with 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. But Alabama shot just 31% from three as a team — with contributions outside of Philon painfully inconsistent all night.
Ole Miss Hero: Ilias Kamardine Leads Balanced Attack
Ole Miss was led by Ilias Kamardine with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists on an efficient 46.7% from the floor. Malik Dia added 14 points and 7 rebounds, while Patton Pinkins delivered 13 crucial points off the bench on 62.5% shooting.
James Scott was the unsung hero — finishing with 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists, and a plus-18 on-court rating. The Ole Miss bench outscored Alabama's reserves 26-14, a margin that proved decisive in a one-point game.
Full Box Score Highlights
| Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labaron Philon Jr. | ALA | 28 | 4 | 4 | 56.3% |
| Aden Holloway | ALA | 18 | 0 | 1 | 50.0% |
| Aiden Sherrell | ALA | 14 | 6 | 1 | 55.6% |
| Ilias Kamardine | MISS | 16 | 6 | 4 | 46.7% |
| Malik Dia | MISS | 14 | 7 | 1 | 38.5% |
| Patton Pinkins | MISS | 13 | 1 | 0 | 62.5% |
Team Stats Comparison
| Stat | Alabama | Ole Miss |
|---|---|---|
| FG% | 40.6% | 46.3% |
| 3PT% | 31.0% | 42.1% |
| FT% | 72.0% | 66.7% |
| Rebounds | 36 | 42 |
| Assists | 14 | 14 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 9 |
| Bench Points | 14 | 26 |
Alabama NCAA Tournament Implications
The loss is a significant blow for Alabama basketball's March positioning. The Crimson Tide now must wait to see how the NCAA Tournament selection committee views their overall résumé. Alabama entered the SEC Tournament with enough quality wins to project as a likely at-large bid, and a one-point loss to Ole Miss — a bubble team in its own right — should not crater their profile. Selection Sunday is March 15, when the full NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed. Ole Miss advances in the SEC Tournament and keeps its own NCAA Tournament hopes alive with the upset victory over Alabama.
