Alabama Advances To Elite Eight With Historic Three-Point Performance

NEWARK, N.J. – The ‘Big Dance’ came to an end for BYU basketball in the Sweet 16 as they lost to the No. 2 seed Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday night. The final score was 113-88, marking a bittersweet conclusion to a memorable season for the Cougars. Under the guidance of first-year head coach Kevin Young, BYU reached the Sweet 16 for the first time in 14 years, but the loss was a missed opportunity to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1981.

Alabama’s offensive onslaught was led by Mark Sears, who had a game-high 34 points, shooting an impressive 10-of-16 from beyond the arc. The Crimson Tide set an NCAA Tournament record by making 25 three-pointers, surpassing the previous record of 21, which had stood for over 30 years. Alabama's performance was nothing short of spectacular, as they also reached the century mark with 6:30 remaining in the game, hitting their 23rd three-pointer.

From the outset, the game showcased two of the best offenses in college basketball, but BYU struggled defensively, particularly against Alabama's perimeter shooting. The Cougars allowed 12 three-pointers in the first half alone, which set the tone for the remainder of the game. Alabama’s record-setting performance raised questions about BYU's defensive strategy, as they failed to pressure Alabama effectively, allowing the Tide to dictate the pace.

"Everyone knew this would be a high-scoring game with two of the best offenses in college basketball. But to allow 12 made three-pointers in the first half was a little bit jarring," noted a BYU analyst. The Cougars’ defense, which had been a cornerstone of their success throughout the season, faltered when it mattered most.

BYU’s struggles extended beyond defense; their shooting from the three-point line was abysmal. The Cougars finished the first half shooting just 1-of-13 from deep, a stark contrast to Alabama's sharpshooting. Despite a valiant effort to cut into Alabama's lead in the second half, BYU could not maintain momentum. Trevin Knell briefly trimmed the halftime lead from 11 to eight with a corner three-pointer, but a technical foul for taunting quickly halted any potential comeback.

In the second half, BYU showed some fight, quickly reducing the deficit, but Alabama had an answer for every run. After Knell's three, Alabama's Aden Holloway responded with a three-pointer of his own, pushing the lead back to double digits. Holloway finished the game with 23 points, including several crucial threes that kept BYU at bay.

BYU’s guards struggled mightily against Alabama's aggressive defense. Dallin Hall had a particularly rough outing, with a series of turnovers and missed shots that hindered BYU's offensive flow. Egor Demin also faced challenges, appearing to limp after an early defensive series. Yet, he managed to score 15 points and dished out seven assists, but it wasn’t enough to counter Alabama’s firepower.

On the other side, Alabama's Sears was unstoppable, especially from beyond the arc. After making only two three-pointers in the postseason leading up to the Sweet 16, Sears exploded against BYU, hitting five threes in the first half alone. His performance was complemented by Chris Youngblood, who contributed 19 points, and Clifford Omoruyi, who added 10 points.

As the game progressed, Alabama continued to pour on the points, with their offensive efficiency reaching new heights. They finished the night with a staggering 25 three-pointers out of 51 attempts, shooting 49% from deep. This performance not only secured their victory but also solidified their place in NCAA history.

With the loss, BYU's season comes to a close, but there is much to build on for the future. The Cougars made it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in program history and the first time since 2011. Coach Young has laid a strong foundation for the program, and with key players returning, BYU looks poised to continue its upward trajectory.

As for Alabama, they advance to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year and will face the winner of the Duke vs. Arizona matchup on Saturday, March 29, 2025. With their record-breaking performance, the Crimson Tide are now one step closer to a potential Final Four appearance, and their sights are set on continuing this momentum.