TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — A blistering first-half shooting display propelled Alabama to a decisive victory and ended Texas Tech’s season Sunday at Amalie Arena. The Crimson Tide connected on 13 three-pointers before halftime to build an insurmountable lead and cruised to a 90-65 win in a men’s NCAA Division I playoff game before a crowd of 17,996.

Alabama’s offensive firepower was on full display from the opening tip, overwhelming a Texas Tech defense that had no answer for the perimeter barrage. The Crimson Tide shot 49% from the field in the first half, including a scorching 13-of-26 from beyond the arc, to take a 49-25 lead into the break. That 24-point cushion proved more than enough, as the Red Raiders never threatened in the second half.

The most important part of the game was Alabama’s immediate and sustained offensive eruption in the opening period. After a slow start from both teams, the Crimson Tide found its rhythm and unleashed a devastating combination of inside-out play and transition scoring. Key plays like London Jemison’s three-pointer at the 17:24 mark, assisted by Aiden Sherrell, and a subsequent three from Labaron Philon, assisted by Latrell Wrightsell, ignited a run that Texas Tech could not stem. The Tide’s ball movement was exceptional, generating open look after open look, while their 17 offensive rebounds created numerous second-chance opportunities that demoralized the Red Raider defense.

Latrell Wrightsell led all scorers with 24 points for Alabama, showcasing the efficient scoring that made him the team’s top star. Houston Mallette added 15 points, all from three-point range, and Aiden Sherrell contributed 10 points and a block. The offensive engine, however, was point guard Labaron Philon, who orchestrated the attack with 12 assists to go with 9 points.

Texas Tech, which finished its season with a record of 23-11, struggled mightily with its shot throughout the contest. The Red Raiders shot just 34% from the field and a frigid 16% from three-point range. LeJuan Watts led the team with 16 points, while Donovan Atwell added 12 and Leon Horner chipped in 10. Their offensive rating of 88.6 on 73 possessions underscored a night of poor efficiency, hampered by Alabama’s length and defensive activity.

Alabama, which improved to 25-9, displayed a balanced and unselfish attack, finishing with an offensive rating of 126.5. Beyond the prolific three-point shooting, the Tide also dominated the glass, outrebounding Texas Tech 45-33 and grabbing 17 offensive boards. Amari Allen provided a strong all-around performance with 12 points, 4 assists and 2 blocks.

The victory advances Alabama in the postseason bracket, while Texas Tech’s season, which included a win over Akron in its previous game, concludes. The Crimson Tide’s performance defied the pregame statistical projection that gave them a 61% chance to win, as their offensive execution from the opening minutes turned the game into a lopsided affair. The combined score of 155 points fell under the over/under line of 165, largely due to Texas Tech’s anemic offensive output.