Mark Sears broke Alabama basketball’s program single-season scoring record on Thursday. Sears had entered the Crimson Tide’s matchup with North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet Sixteen just 15 points short of Reggie King’s 747.
The guard from Muscle Shoals broke the record to start the second half with a layup. The points cut a North Carolina lead down to 54-48.
King’s record came during the 1978-79 season. He remains Alabama’s all-time total points-scoring leader, with 2,169.
Sears has been a major contributor in Alabama’s run this season. The Crimson Tide has struggled defensively, but has relied on an explosive offense to win games.
The guard passed Brandon Miller for second on the single-season scoring list in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Charleston. Miller scored 693 points during the 2022-23 season, before being drafted by the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.
Sears began his college basketball career at Ohio before transferring to Alabama ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. He earned multiple all-American honors this season.
Alabama won its first two games of the NCAA Tournament in Spokane, beating Charleston and Grand Canyon to make the Sweet Sixteen. If the Crimson Tide beats top-seeded North Carolina, it will face Clemson/ Arizona in the Elite Eight.
The Sweet Sixteen game is being aired on CBS.
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