10 Highest Scoring Basketball Games In College

• Total: 264 Points
• Winning Team: Loyola Marymount (149-115)

The 1990 NCAA Tournament was a stage for some of the most iconic moments in college basketball history.

The second-round matchup between Loyola Marymount and Michigan remains etched in the minds of fans for its offensive fireworks. The Lions, led by the dynamic duo of Bo Kimble and Hank Gathers, were no strangers to high-scoring affairs.

The Wolverines kept pace with their own brand of offensive firepower, trading baskets with the Lions in a dizzying display of athleticism and skill. By halftime, the scoreboard displayed a staggering 65-58 score, hinting at the offensive fireworks to come.

• Total: 234 Points
• Winning Team: Loyola Marymount (119-115)

On March 17, 1988, No. 10 Loyola Marymount, known for their "run-and-gun" style, faced off against No. 7 Wyoming in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Bo Kimble, the Lion's star shooting guard, rained down threes like a California wildfire, while Hank Gathers bullied his way to the basket.

By halftime, the scoreboard resembled a pinball machine, displaying a staggering 63 points for Loyola Marymount and 52 for Wyoming. Kimble continued his torrid pace, finishing with a game-high 29 points, while Gathers battled valiantly, tallying 19 points himself.

Late in the second half, Wyoming mounted a charge. But despite a 63-point effort and six players scoring ten points or more in the second half, the Lions were too strong to overcome.

• Total: 232 Points
• Winning Team: UNLV (131-101)

In the annals of college basketball, few games reach the legendary status of UNLV's 131-101 shootout with Loyola Marymount on March 25, 1990.

Initially, UNLV, a team nicknamed the "Runnin' Rebels" for their fast-paced, pressure defense, were caught off guard by the tempo set by the Loyola Marymount Lions.

Stacey Augmon, UNLV's small forward, exploded for 33 points, showcasing his smooth midrange jumper and powerful drives to the hoop.

On the other side, Kimble, in his final college game before the NBA draft, put on a farewell performance for the ages with 42 points.

In the second half, Augmon continued his dominant performance, while Larry Johnson and Anderson Hunt provided valuable support for the Rebels.

• Total: 221 Points
• Winning Team: Arkansas (120-101)

The 1989 NCAA Tournament first-round matchup between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Loyola Marymount Lions rewrote the record books and left fans breathless.

In a display of fast-paced, high-octane basketball, the two teams combined for a then-record 221 points, with Arkansas emerging victorious 120-101.

The Razorbacks, led by the athletic swingman Lenzie Howell and Mario Credit, were the SWC champions and a No. 5 seed.

Meanwhile, the Lions, coached by the innovative Paul Westhead and boasting the explosive Bo Kimble, were the WCC champions and a No. 12 seed hungry to prove their Cinderella status.

Mario finished with a game-high 34 points and 13 rebounds, while Kimble poured in 24 points in a valiant losing effort.

• Total: 220 Points
• Winning Team: North Carolina (123-97)

The 1988 NCAA Tournament was a wild one, and the second-round matchup between North Carolina and Loyola Marymount stands as a testament to that.

While it wasn't the highest-scoring game in college basketball history, it was a breathtaking display of offensive fireworks, clocking in at a whopping 220 points.

Both teams pushed the tempo, launching fast breaks and raining down three-pointers with reckless abandon. UNC, led by the explosive Ranzino Smith off the bench (27 points), came out firing in the first half, building a seemingly insurmountable 65-40 lead.

The second half saw a furious Loyola Marymount comeback, fueled by Kimble's relentless scoring and the supporting cast of Jeff Fryer.

• Total: 216 Points
• Winning Team: West Virginia (111-105)

The 2005 NCAA Tournament matchup between West Virginia and Wake Forest etched itself in history as an offensive spectacle that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Played on March 19th, 2005, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, this game came in hot, with West Virginia boasting a 23-10 record and Wake Forest a 27-6 record.

Wake Forest's Taron Downey put on a show, draining a career-high 27 points, while Mike Gansey for West Virginia countered with 29.

Both teams came out firing, trading baskets, and keeping the lead within single digits for most of the first half.

In overtime, both teams exchanged the lead multiple times, with missed free throws and questionable defensive decisions adding to the tension.

• Total: 214 Points
• Winning Team: Tulsa (112-102)

While the 1994 matchup between Tulsa and UCLA might not make the official top five highest-scoring games in NCAA history, it was undoubtedly a barnburner.

Let's step back in time to March 18th, 1994, and relive the offensive fireworks. The stage was the first round of the 1994 NCAA Tournament.

The No. 5 seed UCLA Bruins, led by the ever-reliable Ed O'Bannon, were heavy favorites against the No.12 seed Tulsa Golden Hurricane.

However, Tulsa, boasting a potent offense led by explosive guard Shea Seals and the versatile Gary Collier, were not ready to roll over and play dead.

The Golden Hurricane hit three-pointers, attacked the basket with reckless abandon, and simply would not be denied.

• Total: 207 Points
• Winning Team: Duke (104-103)

The 1992 NCAA East Regional Final was not just a basketball game; it was a cultural phenomenon.

It pitted two titans of college basketball, No. 1 seed Duke and No. 2 seed Kentucky, in a battle for a spot in the Final Four.

What unfolded was a masterpiece of athleticism, tension, and ultimately, one of the most iconic shots in college basketball history.

From the opening tip, the game was a see-saw affair. Kentucky's Jamal Mashburn and Sean Woods traded baskets with Duke's Grant Hill and Christian Laettner.

With Kentucky defenders swarming him, Hill launched a desperation three-quarter-court heave towards Laettner.

Laettner, positioned near the right elbow, caught the ball in mid-air, faked right, spun left, and launched a 17-foot jump shot as time expired.

• Total: 207 Points
• Winning Team: Tennessee (121-86)

The 2007 NCAA Tournament blazed brighter due to the first-round matchup between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Long Beach State 49ers.

On March 16th, in a game etched into college basketball lore, these two teams combined for a staggering 207 points, solidifying their place among the highest-scoring games.

Chris Lofton, the Volunteers' sharpshooter, erupted for 25 points, draining four three-pointers and setting the tone for Tennessee's offensive fireworks.

The 49ers were led by the dynamic duo of Kejuan Johnson and Aaron Nixon, who combined for 47 points, showcasing their ability to create their shots and finish at the rim.

The Vols secured a 121-86 victory, etching their names in the NCAA record books and leaving fans breathless with their offensive display.

• Total: 206 Points
• Winning Team: North Carolina (109-97)

The 1987 NCAA Tournament matchup between the Tar Heels and Wolverines was an offensive showcase, featuring future NBA stars and a nail-biting finish.

This second-round clash in the East Region was more than just a basketball game; it was a high-octane offensive display.

Both teams came out firing, with J.R. Reid leading the Tar Heels with 27 points, while Gary Grant and Glen Rice paced the Wolverines with 24 and 22 points, respectively.

In addition to Reid, Kenny Smith, Jeff Lebo, and Scott Williams put up 76 points in total to lead the Tar Heels to victory.

The lead changed hands several times throughout the game, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats.

It was a game where two talented teams, fueled by their star players, went toe-to-toe in a scoring frenzy that remains unmatched in NCAA Tournament history.