NCAA Tournament roundup: Alabama rides historic shooting to down BYU

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EAST REGION

No. 2 Alabama 113, No. 6 BYU 88

Alabama delivered a 3-point clinic, breaking NCAA Tournament records with 25 made triples on 51 attempts in a dominant 113-88 win over BYU. Mark Sears led the charge with a dazzling 34-point performance, going 10-for-16 from beyond the arc and dishing eight assists. The Crimson Tide (28-8) moved one step closer to a second straight Final Four berth with their historic showing.

Aden Holloway added 23 points with six 3-pointers of his own, as Alabama’s perimeter barrage overwhelmed a BYU team that outscored the Tide 50-16 in the paint but managed just 6-of-30 shooting from deep. Richie Saunders paced the Cougars (26-10) with 25 points, while Egor Demin added 15 points and seven assists in the loss.

No. 1 Duke 100, No. 4 Arizona 93

Freshman sensation Cooper Flagg put on a complete performance, posting 30 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three blocks to help top-seeded Duke outlast Arizona 100-93 in a high-octane East Region battle. The Blue Devils (34-3) made 13 straight shots at one point — including nine in a row to open the second half — building a lead they wouldn’t surrender despite a spirited comeback attempt from the Wildcats.

Caleb Love erupted for a season-high 35 points for Arizona (24-13), but Duke’s supporting cast — led by Kon Knueppel’s 20 points and Sion James’ 16 — ensured the Blue Devils would keep their title hopes alive.

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WEST REGION

No. 1 Florida 87, No. 4 Maryland 71

Florida flexed its depth and dominance on the glass in an 87-71 win over Maryland. Will Richard led six Gators in double figures with 15 points, while Alijah Martin and Walter Clayton Jr. added 14 and 13 respectively. Florida (33-4) crushed the Terrapins on the boards, 42-20, and outscored them 29-3 in bench production.

Despite the loss, Maryland (27-9) saw a breakout performance from freshman Derik Queen, who poured in 27 points. Ja’Kobi Gillespie added 17 points, but the Terrapins couldn’t keep pace with Florida’s balanced attack.

No. 3 Texas Tech 85, No. 10 Arkansas 83 (OT)

In one of the most thrilling games of the tournament, Darrion Williams redeemed a cold-shooting first half with a clutch 3-pointer to force overtime, then delivered the game-winning layup with seven seconds left as Texas Tech edged Arkansas 85-83.

Williams, who started 2-for-12 from the field, came through in the clutch to push the Red Raiders (28-8) into the Elite Eight. Christian Anderson led the way with 22 points, JT Toppin chipped in 20, and Kevin Overton scored 12 off the bench.

Arkansas (22-14) blew a 16-point second-half lead despite 30 points from Johnell Davis and 20 from Karter Knox. The Razorbacks were one stop away from a major upset but couldn’t hold off Tech’s late surge.

Catch up on the latest NCAA tournament analysis and picks at Sportshub Daily Report.
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