The fourth-ranked Auburn Tigers traveled up to Tuscaloosa tonight to take on the 24th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tigers came into this game on an eleven-game winning streak, after knocking off the Florida Gators at home last Saturday night. Alabama came into this game cold after taking a loss to the Missouri Tigers in Colombia.
The game got off to a hot start for Auburn. The Tigers scored quick and fast. At the half, Auburn led 40-35. Jabari Smith had 13 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. K.D. Johnson had nine points, five rebounds, one assist, and three steals. Auburn also recorded 12 bench points, 24 points in the paint, and nine points off of turnovers.
The Tide’s scoring leader at the half was Noah Gurley with seven points. He also had one assist and one block. Jahvon Quinerly had five points, three rebounds, one assist, and one block.
In the second half, Auburn was led by Wendell Green JR and Jabari Smith. Green JR had 13 points, one rebound, two assists, and one steal. Jabari Smith added on 12 more points, five rebounds, one assist, one block, and two steals.
Alabama’s second half comeback was led by Jaden Shackelford and Jahvon Quinerly. Jaden recorded nine points, three rebounds, and one assist. Jahvon had nine more points, three rebounds, and four assists.
Auburn’s player of the game was Jabari Smith. Smith totaled 25 points, seven rebounds, one assist, four blocks, and two steals. The player of the game for Alabama was Jahvon Quinerly. Quinerly totaled 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, and one block.
During the post-game press conference, Bruce Pearl was asked about what he thought secured the win for Auburn late in the game. Pearl answered, “We won the game with our defense, by getting stops”. Pearl was also asked about his thoughts on Dylan Cardwell’s intensity in tonight’s game. He answered, “His physicality was huge”.
Auburn is back in action this Saturday, taking on the Ole Miss Rebels at the Pavillion in Oxford, MS at 7:30 pm CST.
