Alabama Upsets Auburn in Thrilling Overtime Victory
In a classic Iron Bowl basketball showdown that lived up to its rivalry billing, Alabama stunned Auburn 93-91 in overtime on Saturday night. The Crimson Tide secured the dramatic victory when senior guard Mark Sears connected on a fadeaway jumper as time expired, sending the visiting Alabama bench into a frenzy and silencing the raucous Auburn crowd at Neville Arena.
The thrilling victory not only gives Alabama coveted bragging rights in this heated in-state rivalry but also provides a significant confidence boost as both teams prepare for the upcoming SEC Tournament. For Alabama, securing a road win against a top-ranked conference opponent could prove pivotal for their seeding in both the SEC and NCAA tournaments.
Key Performances
Alabama
Alabama’s balanced attack was led by senior forward Grant Nelson, who delivered a dominant 23-point performance. Nelson showcased his versatility by scoring from all three levels, adding 8 rebounds and 3 blocks while playing stellar defense in crucial moments. His ability to stretch the floor created matchup problems for Auburn’s frontcourt throughout the contest.
Despite shooting struggles for much of the game, Mark Sears made the shot that mattered most. The senior guard finished with just 9 points on 4-of-13 shooting but contributed 7 assists and made the game-winning buzzer-beater—a step-back jumper from 15 feet that touched nothing but net as the clock hit zeros in overtime.
Freshman guard Labaron Philon and senior center Clifford Omoruyi each contributed 15 points, providing crucial secondary scoring for the Tide. Philon’s three 3-pointers in the second half helped Alabama maintain momentum, while Omoruyi’s interior presence created problems for Auburn’s defense all night.
Perhaps the unsung hero for Alabama was junior forward Aiden Sherrell, who grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds, including 5 on the offensive glass. His work on the boards helped Alabama secure several crucial second-chance points and limited Auburn’s opportunities for fast-break scoring.
Auburn
Despite the loss, Auburn center Johni Broome was the game’s standout performer, pouring in a game-high 34 points on an efficient 14-of-20 shooting. The senior big man added 11 rebounds and 3 blocks, consistently keeping Auburn within striking distance throughout the contest with his scoring inside.
Sophomore guard Chad Baker-Mazara added 16 points for the Tigers, while point guard Denver Jones contributed 12 points and 8 assists in the losing effort. Senior forward Jaylin Williams struggled with foul trouble but still managed to add 10 points and 6 rebounds before fouling out in overtime.
Turning Points and Key Moments
First Half
Alabama started strong, racing out to an early 15-7 lead behind Nelson’s hot shooting and aggressive defense that forced three early Auburn turnovers. The Crimson Tide’s perimeter defense initially contained Auburn’s outside shooting, forcing the Tigers to rely on interior scoring.
Auburn responded midway through the first half with Broome asserting himself in the paint. The Tigers’ big man scored 12 consecutive points during a 16-4 run that gave Auburn a 23-19 advantage with 8:43 remaining in the half. Auburn’s defensive intensity also increased, forcing Alabama into contested jumpers.
The Tide regained momentum before the break, however, with Philon hitting a pair of three-pointers during a 10-2 run. Alabama ultimately took a 42-38 lead into halftime, with both teams shooting above 45% from the field.
Second Half
The second half evolved into a tense back-and-forth affair with neither team able to build a lead larger than six points. The lead changed hands eight times during the second half alone, with Auburn’s perimeter defense tightening to limit Alabama’s outside shooting.
Alabama appeared to gain control with a pivotal 12-2 run midway through the second half, pushing their lead to 68-62 with 7:45 remaining. Nelson scored 7 points during this stretch while Alabama’s defense forced four consecutive empty possessions for the Tigers.
Auburn refused to fold, however, gradually chipping away at the lead behind Broome’s continued dominance in the paint. The Tigers finally regained the advantage at 77-75 on Baker-Mazara’s corner three with 1:23 remaining. After an exchange of baskets, Omoruyi’s putback with 12 seconds left tied the game at 81-81, ultimately forcing overtime when Auburn’s final possession resulted in a missed jumper.
Overtime
The extra period continued the game’s back-and-forth pattern, with neither team able to build more than a three-point advantage. Alabama coach Nate Oats employed a smaller lineup to increase spacing, while Auburn countered by continuing to feed Broome in the post.
With Auburn leading 91-89 and 48 seconds remaining, Nelson drove baseline for a reverse layup that tied the game. After a defensive stop, Alabama gained possession with 19 seconds left, setting the stage for Sears’ heroics. Sears received the ball with 7 seconds remaining, used a screen to create separation from his defender, and connected on a fadeaway jumper as time expired to secure the 93-91 victory.
Analysis
Alabama’s offensive strategy focused on creating mismatches through ball movement and pick-and-roll actions. The Tide attempted 28 three-pointers, connecting on 10 (35.7%), while also attacking the paint effectively with dribble penetration. Their 15 offensive rebounds proved crucial, generating 18 second-chance points.
Auburn countered by establishing Broome in the post early and often, exploiting their size advantage inside. The Tigers shot 53.8% from the field but struggled from three-point range, hitting just 6 of 22 attempts (27.3%). Their 16 turnovers proved costly, leading to 19 Alabama points.
Alabama made a key defensive adjustment in the second half, occasionally doubling Broome in the post while rotating quickly to recover to Auburn’s shooters. This disrupted the Tigers’ offensive flow at crucial moments. Meanwhile, Auburn adjusted their screen coverage to limit Alabama’s three-point opportunities, forcing the Tide into more mid-range shots.
Both teams navigated foul trouble throughout the contest. Alabama forward Jarin Stevenson sat for extended stretches after picking up his fourth foul early in the second half. For Auburn, Williams’ disqualification in overtime proved significant, as his absence limited the Tigers’ frontcourt options in the closing minutes.
Additional Details
The game was played before a sellout crowd of 9,121 at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama. The electric atmosphere provided a fitting backdrop for the dramatic contest, with the home crowd falling silent only after Sears’ final shot settled through the net.
The game was broadcast nationally on ESPN2, with streaming available through the ESPN app and ESPN+. The primetime Saturday slot showcased one of college basketball’s most intense rivalries to a national audience.
Auburn entered the contest as 5.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 161.5. Alabama’s outright victory represented a significant upset according to oddsmakers, though the final combined score of 184 points easily cleared the projected total.
Alabama’s dramatic overtime victory provides a significant boost as they approach the postseason. The road win against a quality opponent demonstrates the Tide’s resilience and ability to execute in pressure situations—qualities that often define successful March runs.
For Auburn, despite the disappointing result, Broome’s dominant performance offers encouragement heading into tournament play. The Tigers demonstrated they can compete with anyone when their offense is flowing through their star big man.
Both teams now turn their attention to the SEC Tournament, where they’ll look to solidify their NCAA Tournament seeding. Alabama’s victory likely improves their position on the seed line, while Auburn will need to regroup quickly to maintain their projected top-4 seed. With performances like this one, both programs appear poised to make noise in March.
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No. 7 Alabama upsets No. 1 Auburn on buzzer-beater in overtime
