In a game that lived up to its billing, the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers secured a dramatic 79-76 victory over the No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday night at Thompson-Boling Arena. The game came down to the final seconds, where Jahmai Mashack delivered the biggest shot of his career—a buzzer-beating three-pointer that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
### **A Back-and-Forth Battle**
From the opening tip, it was clear that this Southeastern Conference showdown would be a tightly contested affair. Both teams traded baskets throughout the first half, with neither squad able to gain a significant advantage. Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler provided early sparks for the Volunteers, pushing the tempo and facilitating offense, while Alabama’s Mark Sears kept the Crimson Tide in the game with his perimeter shooting.
By halftime, Tennessee held a slim 38-36 lead, but Alabama quickly responded after the break. A strong start to the second half saw the Tide take a brief lead behind stellar play from freshman forward Jarin Stevenson, who finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.
### **Tennessee’s Defense and Clutch Shooting**
As the game entered the final minutes, Tennessee turned to its defensive identity to slow down Alabama’s high-powered offense. Senior guard Santiago Vescovi came up with key steals, while Jonas Aidoo controlled the paint with crucial blocks and rebounds.
Offensively, Dalton Knecht played a vital role for the Volunteers, scoring a game-high 22 points, including a deep three-pointer that tied the game at 76-76 with just under a minute remaining. Alabama had a chance to take the lead on their final possession, but a contested jumper by Sears rimmed out, giving Tennessee one last opportunity with 4.2 seconds left.
### **Mashack’s Moment of Glory**
Coming out of a timeout, Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes drew up a final play designed to get Knecht the ball. However, Alabama’s defense swarmed him, forcing Zeigler to look for another option. That’s when Mashack, who had been relatively quiet offensively throughout the game, found himself open beyond the arc. Without hesitation, he let the ball fly as the buzzer sounded.
The shot swished through the net, setting off a wild celebration on the court and in the stands. Mashack, mobbed by his teammates, became the unexpected hero of the night.
### **Postgame Reactions**
“I just trusted my shot,” Mashack said in the postgame interview. “My teammates and coaches always tell me to stay ready, and I knew if I got a good look, I had to take it.”
Coach Barnes praised his team’s resilience, saying, “We knew this was going to be a battle. Alabama is an excellent team, but I’m proud of the way our guys fought until the very end.”
With the win, Tennessee strengthens its position atop the SEC standings and boosts its NCAA Tournament resume. The Volunteers now look ahead to their next challenge as they continue their quest for a deep postseason run.