Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Alabama shatters March Madness 3-point record in blowout victory
BY ALEJANDRO LOPEZNEWARK, N.J. — In 2025, basketball games are dominated by the 3-point line, and Alabama’s Mark Sears made sure the 3-point line would send his program to the Elite 8.
Alabama defeated BYU 109-86, and it was all thanks to their long-distance shooting. The Crimson Tide outscored BYU 75-18 from three, on their way to an NCAA Tournament record 26 3-pointers made in a game.
“That was a fun game if you like offense. It was fun for the fans, I’m sure, at least for the Alabama fans,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said. “I’ve gotten to know Mike D’Antoni a bit. He says your offense only has to be 1 point better in efficiency than your defense.”
The previous all-time record holder for most 3-pointers in an NCAA Tournament game was Loyola Marymount, which hit 21 bombs in a 149-115 second-round victory over Michigan during the 1990 Big Dance. In that game, 49 of Loyola Marymount’s 89 attempts came from 3-point range.
But Sears was not the only guard to light up the Prudential Center on Thursday. Alabama guard Aden Holloway contributed six 3-pointers of his own on Alabama’s record-setting night.
Alabama was hot right out of the gates, but BYU managed to stay within arm’s reach at halftime, trailing by 51-40. Then the second half came.
From there, the barn doors blew open and Alabama cruised to an Elite 8 matchup against the winner of Duke and Arizona on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark.
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