Newark, NJ.- In a highly anticipated Sweet 16 matchup of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the No. 2 seed Alabama Crimson Tide delivered a commanding performance, defeating the No. 6 seed BYU Cougars with a final score of 113-88.
The three ball was flying for the Tide, as Alabama set a new NCAA Tournament record by sinking 25 three-pointers, surpassing the previous mark of 21 (Loyola Marymount 1990).
Senior guard Mark Sears led the Crimson Tide with a stellar 34-point performance, connecting on 10 of 16 attempts from beyond the arc. His ten three-pointers were just one shy of the individual tournament record. Teammates Aden Holloway and Chris Youngblood also contributed significantly, with Holloway hitting six and Youngblood adding five three-pointers.
Alabama’s offensive dominance was evident early, as they attempted 27 three-pointers in the first half alone, leading to a 51-40 advantage at halftime. Their relentless pace and accuracy from deep extended the lead to as much as 31 points in the second half.
On the other side, BYU struggled to find their rhythm from long range, converting only 6 of 30 three-point attempts. Guard Richie Saunders led the Cougars with 25 points, but the team’s overall shooting woes and inability to contain Alabama’s perimeter attack proved insurmountable.
This victory propels Alabama to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year, where they will face the winner of the Duke vs. Arizona matchup. The Crimson Tide’s historic shooting display underscores their championship aspirations and solidifies their reputation as one of the most formidable offenses in college basketball.
Full Box Score:
Alabama Crimson Tide (ALA):
- Mark Sears (G): 34 points, 8 assists; shot 10-of-16 from three
- Aden Holloway (G): 23 points, 3 assists; connected on 6-of-13 three-point attempts.
- Chris Youngblood (G): 15 points (5 3Pt)
- Grant Nelson (F): 10 points, 10 rebounds
- Clifford Omoruyi (C): 8 points, 7 rebounds.
- Labaron Philon (G): 7 points
- Other contributors: Combined for 16 points
BYU Cougars (BYU):
- Richie Saunders (G): 25 points, 6 rebounds, 10-of-14 from the field.
- Egor Demin (G): 15 points, 7 assists
Team Statistics:
- Field Goal Percentage: Alabama 53.0%, BYU 45.8%.
- Three-Point Percentage: Alabama 49.0% (25-of-51), BYU 20.0% (6-of-30).
- Rebounds: Alabama 37, BYU 36.
- Turnovers: Alabama 13, BYU 11.
Cover Photo Credits: Associated Press
