Alabama Outlasts Auburn in Rivalry Thriller, Powered by Bench Depth and Second-Half Grit
In a rivalry as fierce as Alabama vs. Auburn, there’s rarely a dull moment. And Saturday night inside a raucous Neville Arena, we got another reminder of just how unpredictable and electric this matchup can be.
Alabama walked into enemy territory with a roster still bruised by injuries and off-court questions. But when the final buzzer sounded, the Crimson Tide had clawed out a gutsy 96-92 win over the Tigers - a victory that said as much about their resilience as it did their talent.
Let’s break down what stood out in a game full of swings, scrappy plays, and no shortage of drama.
Bench Comes Up Big When It Matters Most
Alabama head coach Nate Oats has been vocal about his team’s chemistry struggles this season. But on Saturday, the bench looked like it had finally found its rhythm - and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Tide got 28 points from their reserves, a stark contrast to Auburn’s seven. Charles Bediako, who continues to play under the cloud of an eligibility case, led the charge with 12 points off the bench. His presence gave Alabama a much-needed jolt, especially when the starters were laboring early.
In a hostile environment, depth often makes the difference. Alabama’s second unit stepped up and delivered.
Officials Let the Rivals Play Through the Contact
In a game that had all the emotional weight of a rivalry showdown, the referees kept their whistles in check early on - and that set the tone for a physical, gritty battle.
The first free throws didn’t come until after the first media timeout, when Elyjah Freeman calmly knocked down a pair. Alabama didn’t get to the line until nearly the halfway point of the first half, when Amari Allen sank two after a flagrant foul by Kevin Overton.
Both teams were allowed to play through contact, and while that led to some chippy moments, it also gave the game a raw, old-school feel - the kind of atmosphere you expect when these two programs meet.
Auburn Forces Alabama Inside Early
Alabama’s offense is built on pace and perimeter shooting, but Auburn disrupted that rhythm right out of the gate. The Tide attempted just 11 threes in the first half - their second-lowest total in any half this season.
Houston Mallette’s late triple before the break gave Alabama a boost, trimming the deficit to just one. But overall, Auburn’s perimeter defense forced the Tide to work harder for clean looks, and it showed in their shot selection.
Philon’s Early Turnovers Hurt - But He Recovered in a Big Way
Labaron Philon had a rough start. After a turnover-free performance against Texas A&M, the freshman guard coughed up the ball three times in the opening five minutes, each one leading directly to Auburn points. His first touch of the game resulted in a miscue that turned into the Tigers’ first lead.
But here’s the thing about Philon - he’s got short memory and long confidence. He settled down in the second half, committing just one more turnover and finishing with a team-high 25 points. That kind of bounce-back effort speaks volumes about his poise and maturity.
Auburn’s Defense Turns Up the Heat Before Halftime
The Tigers’ defensive pressure was relentless in the first half. Seven steals led to nine Alabama turnovers, and Auburn cashed in for 15 points off those miscues. That’s a massive swing in a four-point game.
Alabama’s carelessness with the ball gave Auburn momentum and the lead heading into the break. It wasn’t until well into the second half that the Tide were able to wrestle it back.
Alabama Struggles to Find the Lead on the Road
For most of the night, Alabama was chasing. After taking an early lead just seconds into the game, they didn’t see another one until the under-14 timeout in the second half.
London Jemison tied it up with a clutch bucket at the 14:06 mark, and Aiden Sherrell’s calm stroke at the line finally nudged the Tide ahead. From there, the game turned into a back-and-forth slugfest, but Alabama had finally found its footing.
Tide Loses the Battle on the Offensive Glass
One area where Alabama couldn’t keep pace? The offensive boards. After dominating the glass in their last SEC outing, the Tide were outworked by Auburn on the offensive end, 14-7.
Keyshawn Hall was a major problem for Alabama, pulling down six offensive rebounds and creating second-chance opportunities that kept Auburn in it. The Tigers won the overall rebounding battle by four, and that edge nearly tipped the game in their favor.
Final Word
This wasn’t a perfect performance from Alabama - far from it. But in a rivalry game, perfection isn’t the goal.
Grit, composure, and timely execution are what get you across the finish line. And that’s exactly what the Crimson Tide delivered.
With injuries still looming and off-court issues unresolved, Alabama leaned on its depth, trusted its young stars, and walked out of Neville Arena with a win that could prove pivotal down the stretch in SEC play.
In a season where every game feels like a test, this one was a gut check - and the Tide passed.