In a record-shattering performance, Alabama lit up the scoreboard with a relentless barrage of three-pointers, sinking a March Madness record 25 triples en route to a 113-88 demolition of BYU in the East Region Sweet 16 on Thursday night.
The Crimson Tide (28-8) were unstoppable from deep, breaking the previous NCAA Tournament record of 21 set by Loyola Marymount in 1990. Leading the charge was Mark Sears, who drilled 10 threes and finished with 34 points, sending Alabama to its second straight Elite Eight appearance under head coach Nate Oats.
Sears, a first-team All-America guard, was on fire from the opening tip, hitting five first-half threes as Alabama built a double-digit lead. He finished just one three-pointer shy of Jeff Fryer’s all-time tournament record of 11, set in Loyola Marymount’s legendary 149-115 win over Michigan.
The Tide attempted 51 shots from beyond the arc and converted 25 of them, an efficiency that left BYU (26-10) scrambling. Sears’ historic 22nd three for Alabama—a deep dagger that made it 97-66—sealed the record and earned him a standing ovation when he checked out with over four minutes left.
“I was just feeling it,” Sears said. “My teammates kept finding me, and we just kept shooting with confidence. That’s what Alabama basketball is about.”
While Alabama put on a shooting clinic, BYU struggled to match the pace. The Cougars misfired on 12 of their first 13 three-point attempts, a stark contrast to Alabama’s torrid shooting display. Richie Saunders led BYU with 25 points, but the Cougars never found their rhythm.
Whenever BYU seemed to gain momentum, Alabama responded with another barrage of threes. After BYU’s Egor Demin drilled a three to cut the deficit to 63-55, Aden Holloway immediately answered with yet another Alabama triple, pushing the lead back to double digits and crushing any hopes of a comeback.
Alabama’s performance highlighted the Southeastern Conference’s dominance in this year’s tournament. The Tide, making their third straight Sweet 16 appearance, are now one win away from their second consecutive Final Four.
In addition to Sears’ heroics, Holloway hit six threes and Chris Youngblood added five. Alabama shot 53% from the floor overall and was nearly flawless at the free-throw line, converting 18-of-21 attempts.
This wasn’t a one-night outburst—Alabama has lived by the three all season, averaging 28 attempts per game. But against BYU, they took their long-range attack to a historic level.
“We trust our system,” Oats said. “We recruit guys who can shoot, and we let them shoot. Tonight, they proved why.”
Alabama now prepares for a highly anticipated Elite Eight matchup against top-seeded Duke, with a trip to the Final Four on the line. If the Crimson Tide can replicate their shooting display, they’ll be a nightmare for any opponent.
For BYU, the loss ends an impressive season in which they reached their first Sweet 16 since 2011. But against Alabama’s long-range firepower, they simply had no answer.
The Tide are rolling—and if their shooters stay this hot, they could be on their way to another historic Final Four run.
