Alabama beats Clemson to head to the Final Four

For the first time ever, Alabama beats Clemson 89-82 to head to the Final Four

13 NEWS AT SIX. START NOW. ALL EYES ON THE TIDE AS BAMA’S MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM PREPARES FOR ITS ELITE EIGHT RUN. JUST THE SECOND TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY THAT THE TEAM HAS MADE IT THIS FAR IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT. THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US HERE AT 6:00 ON THIS FRIDAY. I’M BRITTANY DECKER I’M GUY RAWLINGS �� 13 S EMMA OWEN REPORTS FROM. BAMA FEVER TIGER PRIDE TONIGHT. BAMA FEVER. TIGER PRIDE HAS BEEN BUZZING WITH EXCITED BASKETBALL FANS FOLLOWING THE TEAM’S WIN OVER NORTH CAROLINA, PAVING THE WAY FOR THEIR APPEARANCE IN THE ELITE EIGHT. THIS IMPRESSIVE RUN CATCHING THE EYE OF FORMER BAMA BASKETBALL PLAYER JASON REESE, WHO MADE HIS OWN ELITE EIGHT RUN BACK IN 2004. I WOKE UP THE KIDS YELLING AND SCREAMING, WATCHING IT AT HOME. IT WAS. I WAS AWESOME, AWESOME EXPERIENCES THAT NO DOUBT REQUIRE A TON OF WORK TO ACHIEVE. THE RUNNING AND THE SUMMERS AND THEN THE CONDITIONING. I MEAN, THE SEASON STARTS IN OCTOBER AND DOESN’T END UNTIL MARCH, AND SO SIX DAYS A WEEK YOU HAVE PRACTICE, YOU’RE RUNNING. IT’S LIKE, HOW DO WE EVER DO THAT. BUT IT ALL COMES DOWN TO ALL OF THAT. THE ENTIRE, YOU KNOW, SEASON, THE TRAVEL, UM, YOU KNOW, COMES DOWN TO REALLY ONE GAME AT A TIME, A MESSAGE ECHOED BY FORMER COACH WIMP SANDERSON, WHO’S ALSO NO STRANGER TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENTS. THEY’VE ALREADY DONE WELL INTO THE FINAL EIGHT, SO WE’LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET TO THE FINAL EIGHT. THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD TEAMS AND YOU’VE GOT TO PLAY WELL. AGAIN AND YOUR TEAM’S GOT TO BE READY, AND I THINK I THINK THEY PROBABLY WILL BE. DURING SANDERSON’S TIME AS HEAD HEAD COACH, HIS TEAMS MADE IT TO THE TOURNAMENT EIGHT TIMES WITH FIVE SWEET 16 APPEARANCES. HE UNDERSTANDS JUST HOW CHALLENGING IT IS TO STAY IN THE BIG DANCE. YOU HAVE TO PLAY WELL EVERY NIGHT BECAUSE IT’S A ONE AND DONE DEAL IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL. IF YOU HAVE A BAD NIGHT, IT’S NOT LIKE THE NBA WHERE IF YOU LOSE A GAME, YOU GOT SIX MORE, YOU’VE GOT TO PLAY THE VERY BEST YOU POSSIBLY CAN EVERY NIGHT. AND THEY’VE DONE SO. AND GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW FAR THEY CAN GO. BOTH HE AND REESE WILL BE WATCHING. OF COURSE, THE STUDENT ATHLETES COMPETING IN A TOURNAMENT SO FEW CAN SAY THEY’VE EXPERIENCED. IT WAS FUN. IT’S EXCITING. WE JUST DIDN’T KNOW HOW HOW INCREDIBLE IT WAS AT THE TIME. AND LOOKING BACK, IT JUST MAKES US SMILE. IT’S PRETTY AWESOME. GREAT MEMORIES FOR THESE FORMER PLAYERS AND COACHES. AND OF COURSE, STILL SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO AS THIS CURRENT TEAM MAKES THEIR WAY THROUGH THE

For the first time ever, Alabama beats Clemson 89-82 to head to the Final Four

Video above: Legendary former Bama Basketball coach shares what it takes to succeed in the NCAA TournamentAlabama is heading to the Final Four for the first time in program history.Mark Sears made seven 3-pointers and Alabama recovered from its early long-distance shooting woes with 16 3s to beat Clemson 89-82 on Saturday night.The Tide (25-11) will face defending national champion UConn in Glendale, Arizona, next Saturday. Alabama knocked off 1 seed North Carolina to reach the Elite 8.�� 13 Sports Director Ryan Hennessy and Sports Reporter Julian Mitchell are in Los Angeles. Watch �� 13 for their Elite 8 coverage.Sears�� 3-pointers were one off his career high. He finished with 23 points and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the West Region. Freshman Jarin Stevenson airballed a 3 in the first half, when Alabama missed 12 of its first 13 from long range. He made a career-high five 3s and had 19 points off the bench.“These guys have been unbelievable,�� Alabama coach Nate Oats told the crowd. “We’ve had a different guy step up every game. Roll Tide!”The Tide donned red T-shirts with the slogan “Net Worthy�� as they celebrated while a bucket of red-and-white confetti was dumped on them.Listen to Nate Oats talk with �� 13 Sports Director Ryan Hennessy after the team won below.Clemson (24-12) was seeking its first Final Four appearance, too, in the West Region final between two schools better known for their national championship football teams. Joseph Girard III led Clemson with 19 points, and Ian Schieffelin had 18 points and 11 rebounds.The Tide buried the Tigers in an avalanche of 10 3s in the second half to pull away. Sears hit a 3, turned and put his fingers to his lips. After he sank the Tide’s eighth 3 of the half, Sears playfully stuck out his tongue and nodded his head as he ran up the court.“I live for those moments. This is what March Madness is about,�� Sears said. “When you’re a kid, you want to be in these moments. It feels like my dream came true today. My dream definitely came true today.”Clemson had allowed only 14 3-pointers in its first three NCAA Tournament games.The Tigers tried desperately to keep up from beyond the arc. While Sears was putting on a show, Girard, who struggled offensively in the regional semifinal, hit back-to-back 3s and PJ Hall added another that left Clemson trailing 68-62. Girard’s 3 cut Clemson’s deficit to 76-73. But Nick Pringle was in the midst of scoring eight in a row for the Tide, making 4 of 6 free throws down the stretch. He finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.Sears stepped back left of the key and sank the Tide’s 10th 3 of the half for an 82-75 lead, drawing applause from Tide alum and seven-time NBA champion Robert “Big Shot Bob�� Horry.The fourth-seeded Tide were in the Elite 8 for just the second time in school history. They lost in the 2004 regional final to UConn.The 6 seed Tigers defeated 2 seed Arizona in the regional semifinals to earn their second Elite 8 berth in 44 years.Clemson broke the game open with an early 16-4 run, including six straight by RJ Godfrey, to take a 26-13 lead. Alabama answered Clemson’s burst with a 22-6 spurt �� including 11 in a row �� to close the first half leading 35-32. The Tide hit five 3s after missing 12 of 13 to start the game. Top-seeded UConn has won a March Madness record 10 straight games by double digits, reaching the Final Four with a 25-point drubbing of Illinois. LIVE UPDATESThe latest updates are at the top. Scores will be updated every media timeout.FINAL: Alabama wins 89-82 SECOND HALFAs the clock hits 2 minutes, Alabama is still in the lead 76-73 With 4 minutes left, Alabama is winning 73-64There's under 8 minutes left in the game and Alabama continues to lead 58-53At 10:22 left, Alabama leads 55-52The Tide grow the lead 55-49 with 12:25 left in the gameWith 15:54 left in the game, Alabama is winning 46-43Clemson takes back the lead within the first minute of the second half 36-35HALFTIME: Alabama leads 35-32 FIRST HALF Alabama takes the lead 29-28 with 2:39 left in the halfAlabama continues to bring the score closer. It's 28-26 with 4 minutes left.With 6:13 left in the game, Clemson is winning 26-18The game remains close, with Clemson leading 12-11 with 12 minutes left in the first halfWith 15:44 left in the game, Clemson leads 8-6At 16:24, Alabama and Clemson are tied 6-6Alabama gets on the board. The Tide are down 6-3.Clemson gets on the board firstBEFORE THE GAMEStay updated on the latest sports stories with the �� 13 app. You can download it here.

LOS ANGELES —

Video above: Legendary former Bama Basketball coach shares what it takes to succeed in the NCAA Tournament

Alabama is heading to the Final Four for the first time in program history.

Mark Sears made seven 3-pointers and Alabama recovered from its early long-distance shooting woes with 16 3s to beat Clemson 89-82 on Saturday night.

The Tide (25-11) will face defending national champion UConn in Glendale, Arizona, next Saturday. Alabama knocked off 1 seed North Carolina to reach the Elite 8.

�� 13 Sports Director Ryan Hennessy and Sports Reporter Julian Mitchell are in Los Angeles. Watch �� 13 for their Elite 8 coverage.

Sears�� 3-pointers were one off his career high. He finished with 23 points and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the West Region. Freshman Jarin Stevenson airballed a 3 in the first half, when Alabama missed 12 of its first 13 from long range. He made a career-high five 3s and had 19 points off the bench.

“These guys have been unbelievable,�� Alabama coach Nate Oats told the crowd. “We’ve had a different guy step up every game. Roll Tide!��

The Tide donned red T-shirts with the slogan “Net Worthy�� as they celebrated while a bucket of red-and-white confetti was dumped on them.

Listen to Nate Oats talk with �� 13 Sports Director Ryan Hennessy after the team won below.

Clemson (24-12) was seeking its first Final Four appearance, too, in the West Region final between two schools better known for their national championship football teams. Joseph Girard III led Clemson with 19 points, and Ian Schieffelin had 18 points and 11 rebounds.

The Tide buried the Tigers in an avalanche of 10 3s in the second half to pull away. Sears hit a 3, turned and put his fingers to his lips. After he sank the Tide’s eighth 3 of the half, Sears playfully stuck out his tongue and nodded his head as he ran up the court.

“I live for those moments. This is what March Madness is about,�� Sears said. “When you’re a kid, you want to be in these moments. It feels like my dream came true today. My dream definitely came true today.��

Clemson had allowed only 14 3-pointers in its first three NCAA Tournament games.

The Tigers tried desperately to keep up from beyond the arc. While Sears was putting on a show, Girard, who struggled offensively in the regional semifinal, hit back-to-back 3s and PJ Hall added another that left Clemson trailing 68-62.

Girard’s 3 cut Clemson’s deficit to 76-73. But Nick Pringle was in the midst of scoring eight in a row for the Tide, making 4 of 6 free throws down the stretch. He finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

and sank the Tide’s 10th 3 of the half for an 82-75 lead, drawing applause from Tide alum and seven-time NBA champion Robert “Big Shot Bob�� Horry.

The fourth-seeded Tide were in the Elite 8 for just the second time in school history. They lost in the 2004 regional final to UConn.

The 6 seed Tigers defeated 2 seed Arizona in the regional semifinals to earn their second Elite 8 berth in 44 years.

Clemson broke the game open with an early 16-4 run, including six straight by RJ Godfrey, to take a 26-13 lead.

Alabama answered Clemson’s burst with a 22-6 spurt �� including 11 in a row �� to close the first half leading 35-32. The Tide hit five 3s after missing 12 of 13 to start the game.

Top-seeded UConn has won a March Madness record 10 straight games by double digits, reaching the Final Four with a 25-point drubbing of Illinois.

LIVE UPDATES

The latest updates are at the top. Scores will be updated every media timeout.

FINAL: Alabama wins 89-82

FINAL: Alabama 89, Clemson 82

The Crimson Tide are heading to its first Final Four in program history.
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

SECOND HALF

As the clock hits 2 minutes, Alabama is still in the lead 76-73
With 4 minutes left, Alabama is winning 73-64

Play is under review foul was called on PJ Hall for Clemson which would be his 5th foul
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

Sears has 15 points in this second half and is perfect from the floor. 5-for-5 all three's. He had five points at halftime
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

Get into a three point battle with Alabama you best not miss. Mark Sears pushes this to a nine point lead, 68-59 with 6:12 to go
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

Clemson's PJ Hall picks up his fourth foul with 7:59 to go
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

There's under 8 minutes left in the game and Alabama continues to lead 58-53
At 10:22 left, Alabama leads 55-52

Grant Nelson picks up his fourth foul with 10:22 to go in this game
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

The Tide grow the lead 55-49 with 12:25 left in the game
With 15:54 left in the game, Alabama is winning 46-43
Clemson takes back the lead within the first minute of the second half 36-35

HALFTIME: Alabama leads 35-32

Well friends we got a game. Alabama takes a 35-32 lead in to the break. Tide are shooting 33% from the field and 6-of-21 from 3-pt, but winning the battle on the boards 28-20. Lot of basketball left
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

FIRST HALF

Alabama takes the lead 29-28 with 2:39 left in the half

Big minutes from Stevenson he's got 10 points, 2-4 from 3-pt. Alabama back in this thing, down 28-26 with 3:51 to go in the first
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

Alabama continues to bring the score closer. It's 28-26 with 4 minutes left.

Alabama currently outrebounding Clemson 23-13 with 10 offensive boards
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

That Stevenson three just the second made for Alabama. Tide are 2-of-14 from 3-pt land in this game. Alabama trails 26-18 with 6:05 to go in the first
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

With 6:13 left in the game, Clemson is winning 26-18

Mark Sears 0-7 FG, 0-4 3-pt in 11 minutes
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

Clemson just going to work inside, 10 of its 14 points coming in the paint. Alabama hanging in though outrebounding them 13-8 with four second chance points
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

The game remains close, with Clemson leading 12-11 with 12 minutes left in the first half
With 15:44 left in the game, Clemson leads 8-6

Two early fouls on Grant Nelson and he heads to the bench, Stevenson in. Alabama trails 8-6 with 16:21 to go in the first
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

At 16:24, Alabama and Clemson are tied 6-6
Alabama gets on the board. The Tide are down 6-3.
Clemson gets on the board first

BEFORE THE GAME

Alabama has arrived to arena. History on the line as the tide face off with Clemson. Both teams looking to book its first trip to the Final Four.
— Julian Mitchell (@Julian��13)

Stay updated on the latest sports stories with the �� 13 app. You can download it here.

��������

For the first time ever, Alabama beats Clemson 89-82 to head to the Final Four

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LIVE UPDATES

FINAL: Alabama wins 89-82

HALFTIME: Alabama leads 35-32

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