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NCAA Alabama Duke Basketball
Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) sits on the bench during player introductions before playing against the Duke in an Elite Eight round NCAA college basketball tournament game, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Mark Sears shot a free throw late in the second half that could have cut Alabama's deficit to 10 — a last-gasp effort at a comeback still within reach — and watched the ball clang off the back rim.
Even the supposed gimmes weren’t automatic for Sears.