Bruce Pearl and the Auburn Tigers entered Wednesday night’s game at Mississippi State having lost 3-straight road games.

Despite a strong first half, the Tigers once again struggled after the intermission, allowing the Bulldogs to force overtime.

But, in overtime, KD Johnson took over, willing his team to a much-needed, confidence-boosting victory. Oh, and that win also clinched Auburn at least a share of the SEC regular-season title with a chance to win it outright on Saturday against South Carolina at Auburn Arena.

After the game, Pearl spoke with reporters, calling the victory one of the best of his career (via 247Sports):

“I’d say this is probably one of the best regular season wins I’ve had in a long career,” Pearl said. “To win a championship on the road at a really good place against a really good team and a really good coach, with our backs up against the wall. Played really well early, could tell we came ready to play. Didn’t have the same effort and energy in the second half and Mississippi State had the building rocking, they were playing great. And just somehow our guys sucked it up. I think it’s because they’re competitors and they wanted this championship. Mississippi State wasn’t going to give it to us and we took it.”

Auburn improved to 26-4 overall and 14-3 in SEC play with the win. Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee all sit with 13-4 SEC records as we prepare for the final weekend of the regular season.