In a tightly contested college basketball game, No. 8 Auburn faced off against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, with Alabama entering as a 4-point favorite. The game started with a technical issue as the lights at Coleman Coliseum malfunctioned, causing a 15-minute delay. Despite the dim lighting, Auburn's Johni Broome scored the first points with a three-pointer. Auburn initially led, but Alabama rallied back to close the first half ahead, 44-30, marking only the second time this season Auburn faced a halftime deficit—the other being at Appalachian State. Alabama's three-point shooting was significant, hitting 8-of-17 in the first half. The second half saw Auburn erase a 14-point deficit to briefly take the lead, but Alabama responded, with Rylan Griffen's performance standing out. Auburn had nine turnovers, contributing to Alabama's scoring. The game came down to the wire, with Alabama leading 75-74 after Auburn's Chad Baker-Mazara missed one of three free throws with 11.8 seconds left.
Auburn calls timeout first https://t.co/w3JTPxs99f
Chad Baker-Mazara on the line for Auburn with three free throws down three. Makes the first two, misses the third, and Nelson gets the rebound. Headed to the line with Auburn leading 75-74 and 11.8 secs to play.
That’s a brutal Free Throw miss for the dude from Auburn
Coleman Coliseum is deafening as Auburn's Chad Baker-Mazara shoots three free throws with 12.6 seconds left. He makes the first two then misses the third, with Grant Nelson pulling down the rebound. Alabama leads, 75-74, with 11.8 seconds left.
CBM hits the first two but the last one rattles out Auburn trailing by 1, Alabama will shoot 2 with 11.8 seconds left
Auburn gets the stop, and Alabama fouls Chad Baker-Mazara on the 3-point attempt three monster free throws coming up for CBM, gotta hit all three to tie this up with 12.6 seconds left
second-chance points biting Auburn here late, with that putback dunk from Grant Nelson putting Alabama up by 5 here late
Grant Nelson gets the biggest roar from the Coleman Coliseum crowd after he puts back a Mark Sears miss for a dunk with a minute left, giving Alabama a 5-point lead over Auburn. Nelson also came down with a big rebound and was fouled on the prior possession.
and Johni Broome can't get the same call on the other end
Wow, spectacular defense by Auburn against Griffen in the corner there, and Alabama gets a timely offensive rebound. Nelson now to the line.
Alabama 69, Auburn 67 (3:05, 2H) Mark Sears is up to 20 points after that last layup. He's scored 10 of the Tide's 25 points in the 2H. AU is 14-32 from the field this half, while UA is 8-27 at the under-4.
Alabama leads No. 8 Auburn, 69-67, at the final media timeout (3:05) in Tuscaloosa. Alabama shooting only 29.6% in the second half but shooting 6-of-7 at the line.
Alabama is up by 2 on Auburn with 3:05 remaining and will head to the line after the timeout Bruce Pearl made his thoughts on the officiating clear during this break
Johni Broome: 25 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks.
huge and-1 there from Johni Broome
Johni Broome has been unreal today. He's heading to the line for an and-1 try to make this a two-point game. (65-62, 5:59 2H)
Big fan of his game https://t.co/ZfVvyrMVZf
Brandon Miller over the last 4 games: 24.3 PPG 6.5 RPG 2.8 APG 57% FG 45% 3P https://t.co/DQcLQ1PMoo
6:24 2H | Alabama 65, #Auburn 60 A trade of leads gets nipped with another Alabama 3. Johni Broome's checking back in once we're back, with the Tide going to the line.
Auburn has attempted 22 three pointer but only six free throws. That's not how you get Capone.
Auburn trails by 5 with 6:24 left, as Alabama has gone on an 8-2 spurt since the Tigers took the lead on the Tre Donaldson steal-and-dunk Johni Broome is checking back into the game for Auburn buckle up
Alabama 65, Auburn 60 (6:24, 2H) Rylan Griffen's fifth 3 of the night gives UA some breathing room after Auburn claimed a brief lead.
Auburn trails by 5 with 6:24 left, as Alabama has gone on an 8-2 spurt since the Tigers took the lead on the Tre Donaldson steal-and-dunk Johni Broome is checking back into the game for Auburn buckle pu
Credit Where It’s Due: Johni Broome Of Auburn Hitting A 3 Pointer In The Dark Before Alabama Turned The Lights On Is Very Impressive https://t.co/RLqZciTHXG https://t.co/h8PsdLKXsw
Alabama leads Auburn, 65-60, with 6:24 left in Coleman Coliseum. Rylan Griffen has 17 points off the bench for the Tide, shooting 5-of-8 on threes -- including one that re-opened a 5-point lead.
Nick Pringle just picked up his fourth foul.
Mark Sears is so dang good
Auburn takes a 58-57 lead over Alabama with 9 minutes left, erasing Alabama's 14-point halftime lead.
Tre Donaldson steal and fast break dunk follows that up. #Auburn leads. https://t.co/s4ofMZNlnk
Denver Jones makes a pair at the line and #Auburn's within a basket of the lead. (57-56, 9:30 2H)
Auburn leads
Auburn is 4-11 from deep this half after 1-10 in the first.
Alabama 57, Auburn 51 (11:01, 2H) Tigers cut it to 3 on a 7-0 run, but the Tide is back up by 6 after three straight makes, including a Mark Sears triple. He's up to 15 points.
11:01 2H | Alabama 57, #Auburn 51 Tigers went on a 16-5 run at one point to pull within 3. Alabama's able to make its past three shots and give itself a little distance, but man, this has been a damn good stretch.
Auburn trails Alabama by 6 with 11:01 left the Tigers cut it to a one-possession game, but the Tide have hit their last three shots from the field
Alabama leads No. 8 Auburn, 57-51, with 11:01 left in Tuscaloosa. Tide allowed a 16-5 run to begin the second half but three-pointers by Latrell Wrightsell and Mark Sears have kept Auburn at bay.
This game has a little bit of everything, including a banked 3-pointer. Alabama leads Auburn, 57-51 in a break-neck pace with 11:12 left.
What a crazy series. 16-5 Auburn run, but Bama gets a 3 off a blocked shot to calm things a bit.
Alabama leads Auburn, 46-39, at the first media timeout of the second half (15:33). Tide opened the second half 0-9, allowing a 9-0 Auburn run, before Grant Nelson dunked to beat the shot clock.
Alabama 46, Auburn 39 (15:33, 2H) A backward dunk by Grant Nelson snaps a 0-for-10 start to the 2H for UA. He'll go to the line for an and-1 opportunity after the break.
Johni Broome up to 20 points and 9 rebounds. #Auburn's back within 5 points. (44-39, 16:03 2H)
Roll Tide Willie the latest to make an appearance on the Coleman Coliseum video board. Alabama leads Auburn, 44-37, early in the second half. Nate Oats called timeout after Auburn started 7-0 out of halftime. https://t.co/EakqMlze5r
Alabama 44, Auburn 37 (17:25, 2H) Tigers open the 2H on a 7-0 run, while the Tide is 0-for-6 from the field. Nate Oats calls a timeout.
17:25 2H | Alabama 44, #Auburn 37 Nate Oats calls timeout after the Tigers open up the half on a 7-0 run.
7-0 run right out of the chute for Auburn in the second half, cutting the Alabama lead in half and forcing Nate Oats to call a timeout the Tigers trail by 7 with 17:25 remaining
Auburn starts the half on a 7-0 run, and Nate Oats calls timeout. It's 44-37 Alabama.
Auburn starts the half on a 6-0 run, and Nate Oats calls timeout. It's 44-37 Alabama.
#Auburn gets the first points of the second half. This time it's on a Denver Jones 3.
it's wild that the only 3-pointer Auburn hit in the first half was Johni Broome's opener... when the lights were half-out
HALF: Ala 44, Auburn 30 Tigers' struggling to match the Tide's frenetic pace and long-range accuracy. Tide finishes the half on a 9-0 run. This is the first time Auburn has trailed at halftime since the App State game on Dec. 3, 2023. https://t.co/a3V1pUy3V7
HALF | Alabama 44, No. 8 #Auburn 30 For just the second time this season, the Tigers are facing a halftime deficit. That other time? At Appalachian State. https://t.co/maAHbCnMVR
Auburn trails Alabama 44-30 at halftime. Tigers missed eight of their last nine shots heading into the break. Auburn is 1-10 from deep and has nine turnovers.
Halftime: Unranked Alabama leads No. 8 Auburn, 44-30, in Tuscaloosa. Tide fell behind 8 points early but held Auburn to 16 points in the final 15 minutes of the first half. Tigers shooting 1-of-10 on threes; Alabama shooting 8-of-17.
Halftime: Alabama 44, Auburn 30 Tide closes the 1H on a 9-0 run. https://t.co/ZzM4q2glpz https://t.co/RSzXAJaUqS
Alabama has hit 6 of its last 8 shots, and Auburn has hit 1 of its last 9 9-0 run from Alabama has this out to a 14-point lead late in the first half
Alabama on a 9-0 run and has its first double-digit lead. (44-30, 0:36 1H)
Alabama on a 9-0 run and has its first double-digit lead. (44-30, 0:#6 1H)
Alabama leads by 14 after another Auburn turnover.
2:30 1H | Alabama 35, #Auburn 28 Officials are reviewing a whistle, I believe for a flagrant. Foul's initially on Chad Baker-Mazara, but not sure if the flargrant would be on him. Also, Tigers not named Johni Broome are 6-18 shooting with 12 points.
Alabama is now +18 on points off of 3s here in this first half the Tide are letting them fly, while Auburn hasn't been able to get many clean looks from deep
3:53 1H | Alabama 30, #Auburn 26 Tigers take a timeout. Another Alabama triple ends a nearly five-minute scoring drought for the Tide. They're 6-13 from deep so far.
Alabama 30, Auburn 26 (3:53, 1H) Jarin Stevenson knocks down a 3 and UA is now 6-for-13 from deep. AU is 1-7. Tide is 2 for its last 12 but now holds a 4-point advantage.
Bruce Pearl gets a timeout after Alabama hits its sixth 3-pointer of the first half Auburn has turned the ball over on 25% of its possessions, which has turned into 14 of Alabama's 30 points pretty fortunate to only be down 4 late in the first half, in my opinion
Long scoring drought for both teams ended by Jarin Stevenson. It's 30-26 Alabama (3:53 1H).
Alabama leads Auburn, 30-26, with 3:53 left in the first half. Two teams scored a combined 3 baskets over a 20 possession stretch before Jarin Stevenson's 3-pointer opened a 4-point lead for the Tide.
7:14 1H | Alabama 25, #Auburn 24 Tide's missed its past five shots. Johni Broome got another rebound.
Johni Broome has 14 points and six rebounds in nine minutes of action already Alabama's cooled off with its shot, and Auburn has pulled it back to a 1-point game with 7:14 left in the first half
Alabama leads Auburn, 25-24, at the third media timeout (7:14). Rylan Griffen is 4-for-4 on threes but otherwise Alabama is shooting 6-of-18, including 0-for-4 by Grant Nelson.
Alabama 25, Auburn 24 (7:14, 1H) Tide has missed its last 5 FGs and hasn't scored in 2:39 but still holds a narrow lead at the under-8 TO.
Rylan Griffen has just under half of Alabama's points (12) and he's done it on four 3s.
#Auburn's got five turnovers in the first nine minutes of this one. Alabama's got 12 points off those turnovers.
11:28 1H | Alabama 20, #Auburn 18 Four-straight 3s from Alabama and they're on a 12-2 run. Rylan Griffen's made all three of his attempts from deep. Tide's heading to the line when we're back.
Alabama 20, Auburn 18 (11:28, 1H) Rylan Griffen hits his third 3 of the game to give UA a 2-point lead. Tide is on a 12-2 run over the last 2:44.
Alabama leads Auburn, 20-18, at the second media timeout in Tuscaloosa (11:28). Rylan Griffen is 3-for-3 on three-pointers and Alabama has made 4 stops on Auburn's last 5 possessions.
yeah, man, Alabama is a different animal when it comes to shooting in this building 4-6 from deep, and the last one had some pretty good defense on it from my angle Alabama leads Auburn by 2 with 11:28 left in the first half
Auburn trails Alabama 20-18 (11:28 1H). Crimson Tide is 4-6 from deep, including 3-3 from Rylan Griffen.
Back-to-back #Auburn turnovers and three-straight Alabama 3s gives the Crimson Tide their first lead. (17-16, 13:00 1H)
Consecutive three points by Rylan Griffen (twice) and Latrell Wrightsell give Alabama a 17-16 lead over Auburn with 12:30 left in the first half.
wrote this morning that in Alabama's losses this season, opponent frontcourts have usually had some big-time scorers well, Johni Broome already has 10 points less than five minutes into this one for Auburn Auburn leads Alabama by 8 early
Auburn 14, Alabama 6 (15:06, 1H) Tigers have made their last 5 FGs and are 6-for-8 to open the game. UA is 3-for-7, but the last bucket was a nice play by Jarin Stevenson who checked in for Pringle early.
15:06 1H | #Auburn 14, Alabama 6 Johni Broome has 10 points on 4-4 shooting. Tigers are 6-8 so far.
Auburn leads Alabama, 14-6, at the first media timeout (15:06) in Tuscaloosa. Visitors shooting 75% with Johni Broome already at 10 points.
Johni Broome already has 10 points, as Auburn leads Alabama 14-6 (15:06 1H). They're now fixing an issue with the buzzer light on the backboard.
We're not even a full two minutes into this and: • Johni Broome has 6 points • Alabama 2 turnovers • Alabama has 1 shot attempt
BREAKING: After 15 minute delay, lights have turned back on in Coleman Coliseum for Alabama-Auburn. Game will restart in 2 minutes. https://t.co/XtwHJrAcgg
The Auburn-Alabama game is paused because the lights aren't working, but that won't stop Bama fans from chanting "F**k you, Auburn" (via @ByCasagrande) https://t.co/2szG17nTFY
Alabama and Auburn have come back onto the court for a shootaround as arena staff at Coleman Coliseum tries to turn the lights back on. We're 29 seconds into the game and now going on a 5-minute stoppage.
officials took a timeout for the lights. bodda getta chant started. that got met with a less savory chant from alabama fans. the lights still aren't fixed.
Alabama students chant f-u Auburn as the arena crew tries to get the lights to work. https://t.co/giijZVYYwy
The lights aren't working to start the Auburn-Alabama game https://t.co/9R75s7lMR4
first basket of the game: a Johni Broome 3-pointer, as we all expected Broome should get at least four or five points for hitting that in the red lights, which have prompted a stoppage before Alabama's possession
Start of Alabama-Auburn being played in the dark after lights went out for pregame introductions and haven’t turned back on. https://t.co/iem7jUMw4A
Doesn't matter to Johni Broome. He hits a 3 to give #Auburn the first points tonight. https://t.co/xcJvlVgJby
The court is not properly lit, and Johni Broome still makes a 3 on Auburn's first possession.
Alabama is a 4-point favorite over Auburn in the game about to tip in Tuscaloosa.
It's the usual starters for No. 8 #Auburn (16-2, 5-0 SEC) against Alabama (12-6, 4-1 SEC) in tonight's IBOB. G Aden Holloway; G Denver Jones; F Chris Moore; F Jaylin Williams; C Johni Broome Less than 10 minutes until the anthem.
Awesome story from @KyleTucker_ATH on Auburn, one of the most interesting (and deepest) teams in college basketball. And Bruce Pearl can flat-out coach, no matter what you think about him: https://t.co/ydOgBgF0Eb
The 2-4-7: No. 8 Auburn at Alabama https://t.co/IcaUiY3wkb https://t.co/kBg1la3a2z
#Auburn HC Bruce Pearl: "Everybody on this team has accepted less in order for us to achieve more."
Auburn HC Bruce Pearl: "Against Alabama, the best defensive players are going to get the edge in minutes... Alabama is one of the best offensive teams in the country, and the numbers back me up. It'll be all that we can do to guard them."
#Auburn HC Bruce Pearl: "Our team is not road-tested, but we will be in the next two weeks."
Bruce Pearl gets asked about Alabama's 17-point comeback win in Tuscaloosa last season. Says he thought #Auburn played "exceptionally well." BP: "I would give Alabama the credit. This year's team will have challenges like last year's team."
Bruce Pearl calls Alabama "probably the best team we've played so far."
Auburn HC Bruce Pearl on Alabama: "This is probably the best team we've played so far."
"Coach, are you impressed yet?" Auburn sits alone atop the SEC, and Bruce Pearl finally used the "i" word after the Tigers handled Ole Miss. Now comes six Quad 1 chances in the next eight games. "Can we keep playing this well as competition increases?” https://t.co/RAMn1rsko9 https://t.co/4CupidqW6m
A final look back at No. 13 #Auburn's ranked win over No. 22 Ole Miss. Highlighted by: • A big push from the Tigers' second wave. • A continued stretch of defensive dominance against the SEC. • Another efficient scoring effort. The quote of the night from Bruce Pearl on… https://t.co/dSi4doGuXt
Bruce Pearl on WHY Auburn has been so damn good this season NOW. https://t.co/YI1GU4UUyk
#Auburn HC Bruce Pearl: "So far, they're having fun in spite of me."
Auburn HC Bruce Pearl: “So far, they’re having fun in spite of me.”
Auburn HC Bruce Pearl; “To play that game and control it like we did was impressive.”
FINAL | No. 13 #Auburn 82, No. 22 Ole Miss 59 For the first time since it won the league in 2022, the Tigers are solely at the top of the SEC standings. An instant look at the ups, and the downs, from Auburn's first ranked win this year. https://t.co/JCCFgqkRsB
5 straight wins for @AuburnMBB over Ole Miss. First time that's happen since 1990-1993
FINAL: Auburn 82, Ole Miss 59 Auburn just won its 11th straight game by double-digits the Tigers are now solo leaders in the early SEC championship race there isn't a hotter major-conference men's college basketball team in America right now Alabama — in Tuscaloosa — is next https://t.co/n4ZLXhy4Wp
Ole Miss scored 103 at home against Florida and 80 on the road against LSU earlier this week Ole Miss currently has 42 points through 32:45 of basketball tonight Auburn's defense has been utterly dominant the Tigers lead by 33 with 7:15 left
Auburn leads Ole Miss by 29 with 12:35 left the Tigers are shooting 65.8% from the field, 58.3% from 3 and 100% from the free-throw line
Auburn is almost 30-piecing Ole Miss with 12:35 left.
15:35 2H | #Auburn 50, Ole Miss 33 Tigers have three turnovers to start this half and now they're up 10 for the game.
the turnover bug has gotten Auburn in this game... and it's still averaging 1.316 points per possession anyway Auburn leads Ole Miss by 17 with 15:35 left
HALFTIME: Auburn 46, Ole Miss 27 Best half of the season for the Tigers — just a few days after an uninspired performance at Vanderbilt. Seems that Pearl got a point across to his team. https://t.co/nUUrucRnYP
HALFTIME: Auburn 46, Ole Miss 27 Auburn just shot 67/60/100 in the first half against a ranked team Matthew Murrell and Allen Flanigan are a combined 3-10 from the field for Ole Miss https://t.co/Xr49xuIBBh
Auburn shoots 67/60/100 from the floor in the first half and leads Ole Miss 46-27.
HALF | No. 13 #Auburn 46, No. 22 Ole Miss 27 Tigers taking their biggest lead of the night into the locker room. https://t.co/V3INS56dIA
3:53 1H | #Auburn 35, Ole Miss 23 Jaylin Williams and-1 opportunity when we come back. The only shot he's missed tonight is still that early dunk. He's got a game-high 9 points.
Jaylin Williams hasn't missed a jump shot in 11 days he's going to the line to get to double-digit first-half points after this timeout Auburn leads Ole Miss by 12 with 3:53 left in the first half
7:29 1H | #Auburn 27, Ole Miss 17 It'll be Reb ball when we're back. Shot clock violation on the Tigers, but they're got their first double-digit lead of the night. They've also made 4 of their past 5 shots and 12 of 15.
even with that last miss, Auburn has still hit four of its last five shots... and Ole Miss hasn't hit a shot in 3:17 Auburn leads by 10 with 7:29 left in the first half
#Auburn and Ole Miss have now traded turnovers for four-straight possessions.
15:13 1H | #Auburn 13, Ole Miss 9 Rebs shot clock violation takes us into the TV timeout. This environment is phenomenal. As is Jaylin Williams, with 7 points on 3-4 shooting. Tigers are 6-7 from the field, too.
it's Jaylin Williams' world, and we're all just living in it he has seven points early and just forced a shot-clock violation with a block Auburn leads Ole Miss by 4 with 15:13 left in the first half
It's the usual starters for No. 13 #Auburn (15-2, 4-0 SEC) against No. 22 Ole Miss (15-2, 2-2 SEC). G Aden Holloway; G Denver Jones; F Chris Moore; F Jaylin Williams; C Johni Broome About 12 minutes until the anthem.