Alabama downs Auburn for second consecutive win at Neville Arena
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For the first time since 2011-12, Alabama has won back-to-back games inside Neville Arena.
Behind 25 points from Labaron Philon, the Crimson Tide (16-7, 6-4 SEC) went to Auburn and knocked off the Tigers (14-9, 5-5) by a score of 96-92.
Alabama needed a floater at the buzzer in overtime to knock off Auburn on the road last season. That Tiger team was ranked No. 1 in the country at the time. Alabama was also nestled in the AP top 10. This year’s meeting had lowered stakes, with neither team in the AP poll at all. But it was hotly contested all the same.
Auburn led by 10 late in the first half. Alabama took its first lead in more than 24 minutes of game clock with 13:41 to play in the second half. A game of runs meant neither team ever got too comfortable.
An 8-2 run from Auburn in the first half built the game’s only double-digit lead. An 11-2 run from Alabama over the next 2 minutes erased the margin and sent the Tide into the half down just 4.
Alabama then used an 11-0 run early in the second half to go on top. Auburn hit 3 triples over the next 2 minutes to go back up by a bucket. Alabama went on an 8-0 spurt. Auburn hit back with a 5-0 burst.
Over the game’s final 10 minutes, Auburn found itself within 1 or 2 possessions every time down the court, but could never take the lead. Alabama led for the final 10:39, sealing the win at the free throw line.
Aden Holloway added 15 points. Amari Allen had 17 on 5-of-8 shooting. The Tide knocked down 20 of their 23 foul shots and hit 12 of their 23 triples.
Auburn shot just 9-of-28 from beyond the arc and made only 17 of its 22 foul shots. Alabama turnovers kept the Tigers in the game — 14 giveaways led to 20 Auburn points. The Tigers, though, missed 5 of their last 6 triples.
Tahaad Pettiford led Auburn with 25 points and 7 assists. Keyshawn Hall scored 24 on 22 shots before fouling out. Kevin Overton added 17 with 4 made 3s.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
