Jahmai Mashack hits buzzer-beater 3-pointer for Tennessee basketball vs Alabama
Rick Barnes wanted a timeout. So did Zakai Zeigler. Neither got it and Tennessee basketball won because of it.
Jahmai Mashack set his feet and hoisted a 35-foot 3-pointer, crouching to the ground as the ball arched through the air. He drilled it and the No. 5 Vols beat No. 6 Alabama 79-76 at Food City Center.
With 3.8 seconds to play, Tennessee lined up with four players at centercourt in the same formation that Barnes called that led to Jordan Gainey's game-winning layup at Illinois in December. Chaz Lanier and Gainey ran wide, peeling away. Zeigler passed in to Mashack, who dribbled and crossed halfcourt. Zeigler and Barnes were calling for timeout before the shot.
He used a savvy screen from Felix Okpara to get free from Alabama forward Grant Nelson. Mashack took a dribble to his left to create the shot. He shot it over 6-foot-11 Clifford Omoruyi. It hit the front of the rim and went in.
Lanier was the first to Mashack to celebrate, leaping almost clear over Mashack as the Tennessee bench cleared.
Mashack set up the game-winning shot with two plays in the final 30.3 seconds.
Lanier made a floater and was fouled, but missed the the free throw. Mashack got into rebounding position and was fouled. He made both free throws to tie the game 76-76.
The senior made the key defensive play on Alabama's following possession. He tied up Alabama guard Labaron Philon as the freshman tried to drive in the final 10 seconds. He helped Gainey, ducking into the lane to prevent Philon from spinning into a floater.
Alabama called timeout. Cade Phillips guarded Philon on the inbound play, but Alabama could not get the ball in and coach Nate Oats did not use one of two remaining timeouts.
Mashack made the winning shot and kept Tennessee in the mix for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.