The basketball version of the Alabama-Auburn rivalry got a head start Thursday night, and the first-look box score came with Alabama ahead 44-41 at halftime in Birmingham.
It was an exhibition, sure, but there was still plenty to sort through for both SEC programs as they work toward the regular season. Alabama is trying to build around returning Aden Holloway and Amari Allen while preparing for a rugged conference slate. Auburn, meanwhile, is looking for a stronger second season under Steven Pearl after a difficult year in spots last season.
The Crimson Tide got a strong offensive half from Qayden Samuels, who led the way with 14 points on 4-of-11 shooting. He also knocked down two 3-pointers and went 4-for-4 at the line.
Keitenn Bristow added 11 points, five rebounds and two blocks, while Tarris Bouie filled the stat sheet with six points, six rebounds, two steals and a block. Brandon Garrison chipped in six points and three rebounds, and Amari Allen added three points with three steals.
Auburn had a balanced scoring effort, led by Kevin Overton’s eight points. Narcisse Ngoy was efficient in his minutes, scoring eight points on perfect 3-for-3 shooting, while Caleb Williams finished with seven points. Tahaad Pettiford had six points and three rebounds, and Bukky Oboye posted six points and six rebounds.
On the defensive side, Thomas Dowd stood out for Auburn with five rebounds, two steals and two blocks, even though he didn’t score. Blake Muschalek and Adam Olsen each added three points off the bench.
Here are the first-half stats from Thursday night’s exhibition between the two rivals.
Alabama 44, Auburn 41
Alabama stats
- Jamarion Davis-Fleming: 3 minutes, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT
- Qayden Samuels: 15 minutes, 14 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 4-11 FG, 2-7 3PT, 4-4 FT
- Amari Allen: 10 minutes, 3 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 0 blocks, 1-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 0-0 FT
- London Jemison: 10 minutes, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT
- Drew Fielder: 11 minutes, 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2-5 FG, 0-2 3PT, 0-0 FT
- Keitenn Bristow: 15 minutes, 11 points, 5 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 4-5 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2-3 FT
- TJ St.
Louis: 2 minutes, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 1 block, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT
- Jaxon Richardson: 5 minutes, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 1 block, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT
- Tarris Bouie: 17 minutes, 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 2-6 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2-7 FT
- Brandon Garrison: 12 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2-6 FG, 1-2 3PT, 1-2 FT
Auburn stats
- Tahaad Pettiford: 13 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1-6 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-4 FT
- Kevin Overton: 18 minutes, 8 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2-7 FG, 2-4 3PT, 2-2 FT
- Caleb Williams: 13 minutes, 7 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 3-7 FG, 1-2 3PT, 0-1 FT
- Thomas Dowd: 15 minutes, 0 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 0-4 FG, 0-4 3PT, 0-0 FT
- Narcisse Ngoy: 6 minutes, 8 points, 4 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 3-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT
- Bukky Oboye: 13 minutes, 6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 3-5 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT
- Blake Muschalek: 8 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3-4 FT
- Adam Olsen: 11 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1-3 FG, 1-3 3PT, 0-0 FT
- George Kimble III: 2 minutes, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT
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