NEWARK, N.J. – The Alabama Crimson Tide delivered a record-breaking shooting performance Thursday night, draining 25 three-pointers to defeat BYU 113-88 in the NCAA Tournament East Region semifinal.
Led by Mark Sears, who scored 30 of his 34 points from beyond the arc, Alabama shattered the previous March Madness record of 21 threes, set by Loyola Marymount in 1990.
Unstoppable from Deep
The second-seeded Crimson Tide lived up to their reputation as one of the nation’s best perimeter-shooting teams, sinking 25 of 51 attempts from beyond the arc.
Sears, a first-team All-American, was the driving force behind Alabama’s record-setting night. His 10 made threes were just one shy of the NCAA Tournament record for most in a single game. He nailed the record-breaking 22nd three-pointer late in the second half, putting Alabama up 97-66 and securing a standing ovation from the crowd.
“It felt like the rim was an ocean tonight,” Sears said. “I just got lost in the moment.”
BYU’s Struggles From Distance
While Alabama thrived from three-point range, sixth-seeded BYU struggled mightily, connecting on just 6 of 30 attempts from deep.
Richie Saunders led the Cougars with 25 points, but BYU’s cold shooting ultimately cost them a shot at reaching their first Elite Eight since 1981.
“They were hitting tough shots all night,” Saunders said. “It’s hard to fight back when they’re making everything.”
BYU’s Egor Demin added 15 points and seven assists, while Keba Keita contributed 13 points and six rebounds. Senior Trevin Knell wrapped up his college career with 10 points and reflected on his time with the program.
“It’s been an honor to represent BYU,” Knell said. “This team is family, and that’s what makes this journey so special.”
Alabama’s Relentless Attack
Alabama wasted no time establishing their offensive dominance, building a 10-point lead in the first half behind Sears and Chris Youngblood, who combined for a barrage of deep shots.
Every time BYU tried to mount a comeback, Alabama responded with another long-range dagger. A Demin three-pointer cut the deficit to 63-55, but Alabama’s Aden Holloway immediately answered with another triple, shifting momentum back to the Crimson Tide.
By the final buzzer, Alabama had also gone 18-of-21 from the free-throw line, sealing one of the most impressive offensive performances in tournament history.
Demin’s NBA Draft Decision Looms
With BYU’s season now over, speculation turns to Egor Demin’s future. The projected NBA lottery pick has yet to decide whether he will declare for the NBA Draft or return for another season.
“I’m not rushing any decisions,” Demin said. “Right now, I just want to take in the moment with my team.”
One factor that may influence his choice? The possibility of playing alongside top-ranked recruit AJ Dybantsa next season, something Demin admitted was “super attractive.”
With Alabama marching on to the Elite Eight, BYU heads into the offseason with questions about what’s next for the program—and whether Demin’s name will be on an NBA roster next season .
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