Bol Bowen shines in NCAA first-round win Alabama forward Taylor Bol Bowen delivered a standout performance in the Crimson Tide’s 90-70 victory over 13-seed Hofstra in the NCAA tournament first round on Friday. The game, played at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, marked Bowen’s second-highest scoring output of the season. He finished with 15 points, shooting 6 of 9 from the field and 3 of 5 from beyond the arc, while adding three blocked shots. Bowen’s performance was his best since the team’s 103-96 win over St. John’s in November, when he scored 17 points on 6 of 7 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds. It also marked his first double-digit scoring game since the Crimson Tide’s 100-75 win over Mississippi State on February 25. Despite dealing with injuries during conference play—including a right leg injury and a hand injury—Bowen has shown resilience in recent weeks. Head coach Nate Oats praised Bowen’s effort, calling him “super proud” of the player’s perseverance. Oats noted that Bowen faced challenges throughout the season, including moments of frustration due to his injuries. However, the coach emphasized that Bowen has been focused and determined in the past month. “He’s locked in for the last month,” Oats said. Bowen was a key contributor to Alabama’s non-conference success, averaging 9.3 points per game and recording six double-digit scoring performances. His recent resurgence has positioned him as a vital part of the team’s rotation as the season progresses. Oats also highlighted Bowen’s mindset, stating, “I think he’s worried about playing hard, the right stuff.” The Crimson Tide will continue their NCAA tournament run on Sunday when they face 5-seed Texas Tech Red Raiders. The game is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. CT and will be televised on TBS.#ncaa_tournament #benchmark_international_arena #nate_oats #tampa #bol_bowen
