Live by the 3, kill by the 3.
One year after making its first Final Four in program history, No. 2 Alabama returned to the doorstep of a return trip after breaking a 35-year-old record set during the storied Cinderella run of Bo Kimble and Loyola Marymount, establishing a new NCAA Tournament record for 3-pointers made (25) in a 113-88 win over No. 6 BYU Thursday night at Prudential Center.
The Crimson Tide, the highest-scoring team in the nation, set their highest point total of the season, led by senior Mark Sears, who finished with a game-high 34 points and eight assists, hitting 10-of-16 from deep.
Alabama also broke Texas Tech’s week-old record for 3-point attempts in the tournament (51).
Alabama (28-8) will meet the winner of No. 1 Duke/No. 4 Arizona in Saturday’s East Regional final.
BYU (26-10) suffered its second loss in the past 13 games.
Before BYU was treated as a punching bag on the perimeter, the Cougars seemed capable of going stride for stride with the fastest-paced offense in the nation.
The opening tip served as the starting pistol, pitting Paul Westhead against Mike D’Antoni.
It was basketball for non-believers, fueled by chemistry and muscle memory, athleticism and instinct.
It was entertaining and efficient, sans ticky-tack fouls and soul-killing reviews, the score changing as quickly as the clock, momentum traded by possession.
BYU opened 8-of-12 from the field. Alabama hit 8-of-11.
Defense was dead.
No one mourned.
It was a celebration of basketball, silencing NIL, the transfer portal and coaching carousel.
Sears was sensational from the start, registering 11 points and three assists in the first seven minutes. BYU kept it close by controlling the paint, but the Tide took control behind the arc, firing from the corner, the logo and the concession stands.
The Crimson Tide hit half of its first 24 3-pointers, taking 26 from deep before attempting a free throw.
Alabama, which ranks ninth in the nation in 3-pointers attempted per game (29.2), shot 27 in the first half, taking a 51-40 lead into the break.
The Crimson Tide stretched the lead to 16 early in the second half, as BYU continued to struggle from the perimeter, hitting just 6-of-30 3-pointers.
The Cougars cut the deficit to seven with under 14 minutes to play, but Aden Holloway immediately responded with a 3 and the gap grew again.
Sears was removed to applause with 4:15 to play.
The game was over.
And Alabama continued firing.
