The Auburn basketball team controlled the game most of the way against Alabama. However, the Crimson Tide fought back early in the second half to defeat the Tigers 96-92 at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama on Saturday.
At the beginning of the second half, Alabama went on a 17-13 run, trailing Auburn 41-37 at halftime, and tied the score at 54-54 with 14 minutes and 6 seconds left in the game. Two free throws in the next minute gave Alabama a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Looking back on the game, Auburn head coach Steven Pearl credited Alabama’s three 3-pointers in the final two minutes of the first half as a catalyst in their momentum.
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“We hit three 3-pointers in the last two minutes of the first half and it was a huge momentum swing,” Pearl said after the game. “It gives them the confidence they need knowing they can hit those shots.”
In addition to clutch shots in clutch situations, Alabama beat Auburn in several games on Saturday. Here are five statistics from Saturday’s win over Auburn at Neville Arena.
Alabama takes lead in key moments of game
Alabama led for just 15:07 of the game but stole the lead from Auburn down the stretch. London Jemison tied the game at 14:06 of the second half and Aidan Sherrell made a free throw with 13:41 left to give the Crimson Tide a 56-54 lead. From that moment on, Alabama solidified its victory with a 42-38 victory over the host Auburn Tigers.
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Alabama is more accurate from the field
The game was close, but Alabama’s offensive success was a factor in their victory. The Crimson Tide shot 54% from the field (32 of 59) and 52% from 3-point range (12 of 23). Auburn shot the ball more often, and as a result, he shot just 46 percent (33 of 71) from the field and 9 of 28 (32 percent) from 3-point range.
Alabama completes free throw line count
Not only did Alabama make the field goal, but it also made Auburn pay for its own foul. Auburn committed 20 fouls Saturday, which gave the Crimson Tide 23 free throw opportunities. Alabama connected on 20 of them, giving them another advantage. Auburn attempted 22 free throws and made 17 of them.
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Bediako and the bench played their part
Alabama’s Charles Bediako was able to play in Saturday’s game after a ruling on his eligibility case was postponed following a hearing Friday. The delay worked in Alabama’s favor as Bediaco contributed 12 points and three rebounds in the Crimson Tide’s win over Auburn. He made 5 of 5 field goals and 2 of 3 free throws. Saturday’s game was also the third time Bediako scored at least 10 points in a game since returning on Jan. 24.
He scored 12 points off the bench to help the Crimson Tide lead Auburn 28-7 off the bench. Elyjah Freeman and Filip Jovic were the only two players to contribute five and two points off the bench for Auburn.
Labaron Philon plays through injury, leads Crimson Tide in points
Alabama linebacker LaBaron Philon was listed as a “game-time decision” before Saturday’s game with a bruised thigh. However, he chose to play through the pain and led Alabama with 25 points. He accomplished that by shooting 7-for-15 from the field and 8-for-9 from the free throw line. He also played a big role in the rest of Alabama’s scoring on Saturday, dishing out six assists.
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This article originally appeared in The Auburn Dispatch: Key numbers for Auburn basketball following loss to Alabama
