Tennessee basketball fans witnessed an electrifying showdown as the No. 4 Volunteers edged out the Auburn Tigers 70-65, securing a spot in the SEC Championship game. In a hard-fought battle, Tennessee capitalized on clutch free throws and a strong second-half performance to survive Auburn’s late-game rally.
Fast-Paced First Half Sets the Tone
The matchup started at a blistering pace, with both Tennessee and Auburn sinking their first four shots. Chaz Lanier, playing in his hometown, ignited the Volunteers’ offense with two early three-pointers. Midway through the first half, Tennessee built a 26-19 lead, but Auburn answered with a 10-0 run to reclaim the advantage. The Tigers dominated inside, as All-American forward Johni Broome consistently found success in the paint. By halftime, Auburn held a narrow 34-33 lead, fueled by nine points off Tennessee turnovers.
Tennessee Overcomes Foul Trouble to Regain Control
Early foul trouble plagued Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler, who picked up his third foul immediately after the break. With Auburn seizing momentum and extending their lead to six, the Volunteers needed a response. They found it at the free-throw line, where Jordan Gainey and Jahmai Mashack converted crucial points. A deep three-pointer from Gainey knotted the score at 43.
Tennessee gained a critical advantage with 13 minutes remaining, as Auburn’s foul troubles sent the Volunteers into the bonus. Igor Milicic picked up his fourth foul, forcing the Tigers to shuffle their lineup. Tennessee took full advantage, embarking on an 8-0 run fueled by Cade Phillips, Lanier, and Dubar. The Volunteers surged ahead 55-48 with just over eight minutes to play.
Zeigler provided a dagger from beyond the arc, pushing Tennessee’s lead to 60-49, forcing Auburn into desperation mode.
Auburn’s Furious Comeback Falls Short
The Tigers refused to go quietly. Chad Baker-Mazara drained a critical three-pointer, followed by Broome’s successful trips to the free-throw line. Auburn capitalized on Tennessee’s sloppy turnovers, sparking a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to just two points at 64-62 with under four minutes left.
Tennessee responded with timely buckets from Phillips and Gainey. Baker-Mazara answered for Auburn with a layup, trimming the margin to 68-65. In the game’s closing moments, a wild sequence of reviews and fouls sent Mashack to the free-throw line. He calmly sank both shots, sealing the 70-65 victory.
Key Stats and Takeaways
The Volunteers’ efficiency at the free-throw line proved to be the difference, converting 25-of-27 attempts compared to Auburn’s 13-of-22. Zeigler led Tennessee with 20 points, while Gainey added 15 and Lanier contributed 12. Broome finished with a game-high 23 points for Auburn but struggled at the stripe, going just 5-of-12.
Tennessee Eyes SEC Championship Glory
With this gritty win, Tennessee advances to the SEC Championship game, where they will face the winner of Florida vs. Alabama. The Volunteers are now one step closer to an SEC Tournament title, solidifying their status as a top contender heading into March Madness.
