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Mark Sears hushes crowd, Alabama advances to Sweet 16

Screen Shot 2024-05-28 at 9.09.17 AMby:Kaiden Smith•03/24/24•

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama‘s second-round NCAA Tournament game against Grand Canyon wasn’t exactly at a neutral site for the Crimson Tide. Played in Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Washington much closer to GCU’s home base compared to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

GCU’s fanbase showed up and showed out, but it wasn’t enough to slow down the Crimson Tide, who defeated the Lopes 72-61 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for a second straight season.

Alabama guard Mark Sears led the Crimson Tide in scoring with an outstanding performance. And even though Grand Canyon’s fans made their presence felt on the West Coast, Sears got the last laugh. Sending a message to the West Coast crowd that rooted against him all game by hushing them in the closing moments of the game.

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With 6:25 remaining in the ball game GCU took a one-point lead after trailing for the entirety of the second half, fueled by an electric crowd cheering them on. But the Crimson Tide went on an impressive 17-3 run to close out the game and solidify the win. Silencing the Lopes’ supporters and showing why they were the nation’s top-scoring offense this season.

Sears ended the night with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists on his way to icing the game and shushing the crowd in Spokane. Becoming the second Alabama player in program history with 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in an NCAA Tournament game.

Rylen Griffen joined Sears in double-figure scoring with 13 points on an efficient 50% shooting percentage. But Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats knows that Alabama will have to step their game up for their Sweet Sixteen matchup against top-seeded North Carolina on Thursday.

“It’s not easy to get to the Sweet Sixteen. Carolina’s really good. We’re going to have to play significantly better than we did tonight,” Oats said. “But we’re in the game. We’re playing ’em Thursday. We’re looking forward to it.”

This will be the third time Alabama has made it to the Sweet Sixteen in their fifth season under Oats, but they have not been able to advance any further in March Madness. Falling to San Diego State in last year’s Regional Semifinal and to UCLA in 2021. As they’ll look to advance to the Elite 8 for the first time in program history in a matchup airing at 9:39 p.m. ET Thursday on CBS.