TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Auburn and Alabama had never played as top-10 teams. On Saturday, the Tigers and Crimson Tide squared off as the top teams in the country — and didn’t disappoint.
No. 1 Auburn went on the road and beat No. 2 Alabama 94-85 in the historic matchup of in-state rivals. And a rematch of the top-rated teams might be coming shortly, because they meet again at Auburn on March 8. And, they might not be done then — they could face off in the Southeastern Conference and NCAA tournaments.
“All eyes in college basketball were on the state of Alabama and the SEC,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said after his team improved to 23-2 overall and 11-1 in the conference. “What this conference has done in men’s basketball is historic.”
Pearl pointed to Auburn’s hot start in the game, scoring the first nine points, as key to winning on the road in big games.
Alabama coach Nate Oats noted that run, too, as well as Auburn scoring the final seven points of the first half and six of the first eight points of the second half as pivotal moments.
“I thought we played pretty hard and didn’t turn the ball over a whole lot,” Oats said, noting seven turnovers. “Too many guys were getting 3’s off that weren’t supposed to be getting 3’s and they go 12 for 30 from 3.”
Auburn forward Johni Broome used the stage to restate his case in the player-of-the-year race — one that took a hit after he missed two games due to injuries and played just two minutes in a third. Broome controlled the game Saturday, finishing with 19 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and a steal.
“I came in trying to be aggressive and I was kind of feeling it a little bit, so went and made some plays,” Broome said.