Alabama's Magical Run Ends in Final Four

The Crimson Tide hung with the top-seeded Huskies, but UConn pulled away in the final minutes.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Alabama’s magical, March run ended in the desert. The defending national champions and No. 1 overall seed proved to be too much in the second half. 

The Crimson Tide gave UConn its toughest test of the NCAA Tournament, but the Huskies hung on to beat No. 4 Alabama, 86-72 inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday night.

"Unfortunate that it ended tonight, but we played arguably the best team in the country," Alabama head coach Nate Oats said. "I mean, UConn is top five in offense and defense. It showed tonight. I thought our guys did a good job staying in there, not giving up big runs."

Mark Sears was valiant in defeat with 24 points in what could be his final game in an Alabama uniform. Grant Nelson had a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds, which included a thundering dunk over UConn’s Donovan Clingan. After the dunk, it looked like momentum might turn in favor of the Tide, but the Huskies went on a run soon after.

Stephon Castle led UConn with 21 points while Clingan added 18 and five rebounds.

The second half was truly a game of runs. The Crimson Tide tied the game at 56 with 12:51 to go in the second half, but then allowed UConn to go on another 8-0 run. From that point on, the Huskies remained in control. 

Alabama was hanging in with the Huskies at halftime, just trailing by four points. Sears was perfect from the floor in the first half to lead the Crimson Tide. Alabama shot a scorching 8-of-11 from 3 in the first half, but couldn’t keep up the pace in the second half, finishing 11 for 23 from beyond the arc. Sears said UConn did a better job running Alabama off the 3-point line in the second half.

"Even when we would try to create separation, they were right there to run us off the line," Sears said. "I'd say they did a great job of doing that."

 This season will be remembered by Alabama basketball fans for years to come as the program's first Final Four team, but the season finishes with a 25-12 record in Oats' fifth year with the Crimson Tide.

"Just want to thank our guys for getting this school to a Final Four for the first time in school history," Oats said. "We had an unbelievable run. Guys kind of got us over the hump to get there. So can't say enough about the leadership of these guys, particularly in the last few weeks."