The number one (or number two) Alabama Crimson Tide lost to the number one (or number two) Auburn Tigers in Coleman Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. The visiting Tigers will leave no doubt in voters’ minds who is number one this coming week. The Tide lost 94-85 after falling behind 9-0 early in the game. Bama is now 21-4 overall and 10-2 in the SEC while Auburn is now 23-2 and 11-1 in conference play.
Coach Nate Oats continued with the starting lineup of Mark Sears, Chris Youngblood, Grant Nelson, Jarin Stevenson, and Clifford Omoruyi. The Tide came in riding a seven game winning streak and had just elevated to number one in the coaches’ poll on Monday.
Auburn came out hot, scoring the first nine points of the game. The Tide finally were able to go on a run and cut the lead to 26-25, but as was the case all day, Auburn answered. At the half the visitors led 42-33 .
After shooting lights out on the road in Austin, the Tide couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean in the first half. Alabama shot only 11-35 for 31% and an even worse 2-15 from three point range. Free throw shooting was also a problem at 9-13 for 69%. Bama grabbed 27 rebounds with nine on the offensive end, had only two assists, two blocks, and zero steals. One positive was a less than normal 5 turnovers. Nelson scored six points with seven rebounds in the period. Sears had five points off of eight shots, including 0-5 from deep.
Auburn didn’t shoot lights out, but were still 14-38 for 37% and 6-19 for 32% from behind the arc. The Tigers were a perfect 8-8 at the charity stripe. Player of the year candidate Johni Broome led the way with 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Chaney Johnson also notched a dozen points.
The same starters came out for the second half, a move Oats later said might not have been the right move. With 12:56 left Auburn had stretched the lead out to 59-45. The Tide made a valiant run on some good play from Labaron Philon and Omoruyi, and when Sears finally knocked down a three pointer the Tide had pulled with three at 63-60 with 9:27 left in the game. After Auburn scored in the paint, Sears hit another long three to cut the margin to 65-63, followed by a dunk by Nelson to tie the game. the Tigers answered with a three which Youngblood answered to tie the game again at 68, causing Auburn coach Bruce Pearl to call a timeout.
Auburn was able to maintain a lead of five to six points over the next few minutes while the Tide missed shot after shot in the paint. A six point deficit was as close as Bama could get down the stretch. With Alabama having to foul, the Tigers were able to secure the victory at the free throw line.
In the second half the Tide shot better at 16-35 for 46%, but only 3-11 from three point range while making 17-22 free shots. Overall Bama shot 27-70 for 37%, a horrid 5-26 for 19% from deep, and 26-35 for 74% at the charity stripe. Sears led the scoring with 18 points, but was 4-17 from the field overall, 2-11 from three point range, and 8-11 on free throws. One positive note was Sears only committed two turnovers after averaging around five a game the last five games. Nelson notched another double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, but shot only 5-11 from the field. Philon and Aden Holloway were in double digits with 10 each. Omoruyi just missed a double-double of his own with eight points and 12 rebounds. Mo Dioubate added eight points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
Auburn scorched the nets to the tune of 16-27 for 59% and 6-11 from three in the second half, and made 14-24 free throws. Overall AU finished 30-65 for 46%, 12-30 for 40% from deep, 22-32 for 69% at the free throw line. Broome did some of everything with 19 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and a steal. Denver Jones added 16, Chad Baker-Mazara and Miles Kelly 15, Johnson 14, and Tahaad Pettiford 13, giving the Tigers six players in double figures.
The loss gives the Tide two home SEC losses and puts the team behind the eight ball in the race for the SEC Title. With road games at Missouri, Tennessee, and Auburn, as well as home games against Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Florida, Bama has the toughest finishing stretch in the country.
Alabama had a hard time with the Tigers tough, physical defense and could not overcome poor shooting both from behind the arc, but especially in the lane at point blank range. Sears was just 2-6 at the rim as the Tide shot well under 50% in the lane. You have to give credit to Auburn for answering every charge the Tide put forward. The Tigers did what great teams do and took the road win.
Next up is a Wednesday night trip to CoMo to take on the Missouri Tigers. The game is set for an 8 p.m. CT tip and will be shown on the SEC Network. The team needs to put this one behind them and continue their winning ways on the road.
Roll Tide
