The Highest-Scoring Games in NCAA March Madness History
Across the tournament’s long history, a handful of games stand out because the scoring never slowed. Both teams continued to convert possessions, and the totals climbed far beyond what most March Madness matchups typically produce. This list highlights the ten games with the highest combined scores.
Loyola Marymount 149, Michigan 115 (1990)
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Nothing about this second-round game slowed down, especially after halftime. Loyola Marymount stacked up 84 points in the second half after dropping 65 in the first. Jeff Fryer hit 11 threes on his way to 41 points, while Bo Kimble added 37. Michigan kept pace enough to score 115, with six players in double figures, but the Lions’ 149 still stands as the highest team output in tournament history.
Loyola Marymount 119, Wyoming 115 (1988)
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This first-round duel was tight from start to finish. Loyola Marymount leaned on Bo Kimble’s 29 points and Hank Gathers’ 19 and 12, while Wyoming had six players reach double figures and shot 57.3%. The stat that swung it came from Loyola Marymount’s pressure. They forced 23 turnovers, including 16 steals, which kept the pace at a high level throughout the entire night.
UNLV 131, Loyola Marymount 101 (1990)
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The breakneck offense of UNLV tore through the Elite Eight behind Stacey Augmon’s 33 points and 11 rebounds. Anderson Hunt added 30 points and 13 assists, and Larry Johnson grabbed 18 rebounds to go with 20 points. Loyola Marymount still had Bo Kimble put up 42, but UNLV shot 59.3% and kept rolling toward a national title.
Iowa 121, Notre Dame 106 (1970)
Credit: NCAA
Iowa opened the game with a massive 75-point first half. Chad Calabria and John Johnson each scored 31, which kept the Hawkeyes in control from the opening minutes. Austin Carr continued his historic tournament scoring pace with 45 points and 10 rebounds for Notre Dame.
Houston 119, Notre Dame 106 (1971)
Credit: Wikipedia
Poo Welch of Houston went right at the rim with 38 points, while Steve Newsome chipped in 29. Notre Dame once again relied on Austin Carr, who closed his college career with 47 points and 12 rebounds. Collis Jones added a 25-point, 22-rebound effort.
Arizona 114, UNLV 109 (1976)
Credit: Arizona Daily Star
This overtime matchup had Arizona shooting 57.9% while Herman Harris piled up 31 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds. Three teammates recorded double-doubles, and UNLV countered with three 20-point scorers of its own. Arizona’s win came during its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 25 years.
Arkansas 120, Loyola Marymount 101 (1989)
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Arkansas scored 68 first-half points and 58% shooting overall. Mario Credit racked up 34 points and 13 rebounds, and Lenzie Howell added 27 and 12. Loyola Marymount still had three players reach 20, but Arkansas controlled the rhythm early and never let go.
North Carolina 123, Loyola Marymount 97 (1988)
Credit: 247sports
North Carolina locked in immediately with a 65-point first half. Ranzino Smith’s 27 points and J.R. Reid’s 19 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists set the tone. Loyola Marymount got 27 from Jeff Fryer plus double-doubles from Corey Gaines and Mike Yoest, yet the Tar Heels’ efficiency stretched the margin quickly.
UNLV 121, San Francisco 95 (1977)
Credit: 247sports
UNLV opened with 63 first-half points and had six players in double figures. Reggie Theus led the way with 27 points and eight rebounds. San Francisco still put up 95 and shot well, helped by Winford Boynes’ 30 points, but UNLV’s tempo simply never slowed.
West Virginia 111, Wake Forest 105 (2OT, 2005)
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A double-overtime battle pushed both teams well into triple digits. West Virginia had five players in double figures, topped by Mike Gansey’s 29. Wake Forest responded with Taron Downey’s 27 and Chris Paul’s 22 and nine assists. Wake Forest once held a 13-point halftime lead, but West Virginia’s depth carried the final minutes.