This year’s NCAA Tournament continues to be one of the best in recent memory as the South Region’s No. 5 San Diego Aztecs upset the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide 71 -64. The Tide was the top overall seed in the entire tournament.
The win for San Diego State would require a second-half comeback. After leading 28-23 at halftime, their offense smothering the Crimson Tide in the first 20 minutes, keeping them to just a 27% shooting percentage, the Tide would come out strong in the second half.
The Tide over the first two and half minutes of the second half would use an 8-2 run to take a 34-30 lead. That lead would get as big as 48-39 with under 12 minutes to play, but a 12-0 scoring run in less than five minutes by San Diego State would turn the game upside down.
After taking a 51-48 lead with 8:43 remaining in the game, the Aztecs would not relinquish the lead and extended that lead to 66-57 over the next six and half minutes. Alabama would make a late push in the last 90 seconds, however cutting their deficit to as low as two points at 66-64. Unfortunately for Nate Oates’ team, they would miss their final five shots while sending San Diego State to the line five times, allowing the Aztecs to walk away with a 71-64 win.
San Diego State will now move on to the Elite Eight where they’ll face the winner of No. 15 Princeton vs No. 6 Creighton.