A roundup of Friday’s March Madness action:

All-America guard Mark Sears scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half, and second-seeded Alabama pulled away late to escape 15th-seeded Robert Morris 90-81 Friday in the first round of the men’s NCAA Tournament.

The Colonials gave the Crimson Tide (27-8) all they could handle and even took their first lead at 65-64 on a layup by Josh Omojafo to bring the Rocket Arena crowd to its feet.

Alabama responded behind Sears, who had seven points during an 11-2 surge that gave the Crimson Tide some breathing room against the Horizon League champions.

“(I) kept playing the right way, and then the game repaid me back,” said Sears, who also had five rebounds and 10 of Alabama's 25 assists.

Robert Morris (26-9) came in as a 22-1/2 point underdog, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, yet spent most of the afternoon threatening to author the first true bracket-buster of the tournament.

Cleveland native Amarion Dickerson led the Colonials with 25 points.

Maryland 81, Grand Canyon 49 — Julian Reese had 18 points and nine rebounds, and fourth-seeded Maryland pounded No. 13-seed Grand Canyon.

Ole Miss 71, North Carolina 64 — Mississippi let most of a 22-point lead slip from its grasp, but Sean Pedulla sank a critical 3-pointer with 52.8 seconds left, and Ole Miss topped North Carolina in a roller-coaster game on Friday.

Ole Miss (23-11), the No. 6 seed in the South Region, will chase its first Sweet 16 berth since 2001 when it faces No. 3 seed Iowa State (25-9).

Saint Mary’s 59, Vanderbilt 56 — Saint Mary's guard Jordan Ross keyed a second-half rally while star Augustas Marciulionis dealt with foul trouble, and the seventh-seeded Gaels fended off 10th-seeded Vanderbilt and will face No. 2-seed Alabama.

Duke 93, Mount St. Mary’s 49 — Tyrese Proctor had 19 points and freshman star Cooper Flagg returned from an ankle injury to score 14 points as No. 1 seed Duke beat Mount St. Mary's.

The Blue Devils will face Baylor next.

Baylor 75, Mississippi State 72 — NBA lottery prospect V.J. Edgecombe finished with 16 points, including two clutch free throws down the stretch, to help the ninth-seeded Bears hold off the eighth-seeded Bulldogs.

Louisville 63, Nebraska 58 — Tajianna Roberts scored 16 points, while Jayda Curry made two free throws and drew a charging foul in the final minute as seventh-seeded Louisville beat 10th-seeded Nebraska.

The Cardinals (22-10) will face host second-seeded TCU and their former guard Hailey Van Lith.

Kentucky 79, Liberty 78 — Georgia Amoore scored 34 points, including three free throws in the final 10 seconds for fourth-seeded Kentucky, which nearly blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead but held on over 13th-seeded Liberty.

Kentucky will face Kansas State next.

Kansas State 85, Fairfield 41 — Ayoka Lee had 17 points and 10 rebounds in her return to the lineup, and fifth-seeded Kansas State beat Fairfield.

Mississippi 83, Ball State 65 — Starr Jacobs had 18 points and 11 rebounds, Kennedy Todd-Williams added 14 points with 11 boards and No. 5 seed Mississippi rolled over 12th-seeded Ball State.

The Rebels will face fourth-seeded Baylor in the second round Sunday.

Baylor 73, Grand Canyon 60 — Aaronette Vonleh had 25 points and 11 rebounds, leading the fourth-seeded Bears over Grand Canyon. Jada Walker scored 17 points.

Oregon 77, Vanderbilt 73 — Deja Kelly scored 20 points, and No. 10 seed Oregon recovered in overtime after losing a 19-point lead in the second half to beat No. 7 Vanderbilt.

South Carolina 108, Tennessee Tech 48 — Freshman Joyce Edwards scored 22 points in her first women's NCAA Tournament game as No. 1-seed South Carolina began its run at a second straight national title.

South Carolina will face ninth-seeded Indiana on Sunday for a spot in the Sweet 16.