Most 3s in a March Madness game: Alabama makes history with three-point barrage vs. BYU

The three-point line has been a fixture of college basketball since 1986. It's rarely been utilized as effectively as it was on Thursday night when No. 2 Alabama lit Newark's Prudential Center with all sorts of fireworks.

The Crimson Tide let off a barrage of triples. Led by All-American guard Mark Sears, Alabama left No. 6-seeded BYU dazed and confused, firing off long-range shots like a trebuchet.

Nate Oats' squad not only put some distance between itself and the Cougars. It also made some March Madness history, too.

Here's what you need to know.

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Most 3s in a March Madness game

Alabama holds the record for most three-pointers in a single March Madness game, lacing 25 threes in its Sweet 16 duel with BYU.

The Crimson Tide's outburst was spearheaded by one notable arbalest: Sears, who launched himself in history with three-point artistry the likes of which has rarely been seen in tourney history. The first-team All-American sank 10 threes, tied for the second-best mark in March Madness history.

Alabama outgunned Loyola Marymount's legendary 1990 squad to take its place atop the record books on Thursday. The No. 11-seeded Lions, helmed by famed coach Paul Westhead, were renowned for the pace by which they played. They were also highly motivated — two weeks ahead of their match with the Wolverines, Loyola Marymount's best player, Hank Gathers, collapsed and died during a conference tournament matchup against Portland.

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The Lions, now led by consensus second-team All-American Bo Kimble, erupted for 149 points against Michigan, a March Madness record. That output was buoyed by those 21 makes from beyond the arc, 11 of which came from sharpshooter Jeff Fryer — also an NCAA Tournament record.

LMU also has the joint third-highest three-point single-game March Madness tally, dropping 17 in a defeat to eventual national champion UNLV in the Elite Eight.

Here's a closer look at the greatest three-point shooting performances in March Madness history. 

MORE: 

• Mark Sears threatens March Madness single-game 3-point record vs. BYU
• Alabama flirts with Sweet 16 points record vs. BYU