No. 1 Auburn holds off No. 2 Alabama

Top-ranked Auburn held off a late surge from No. 2 Alabama to secure a thrilling 94-85 victory Saturday over its in-state SEC rival.

Auburn forward Johni Broome posted 19 points and 14 rebounds to record his 15th double-double of the season. He also added six assists, one steal, and two blocks.

"I came in trying to be aggressive and I was kind of feeling it a little bit, so went and made some plays," Broome said, according to The Associated Press.

The Tigers had six players score in double digits. Guard Denver Jones was the team's second-highest scorer with 16 points.

"We acted like we were the No. 1 team," said Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, according to ESPN's Jeff Borzello. "We prepared like we were the No. 1 team. And we are the No. 1 team in the country."

Auburn has now defeated nine programs currently ranked in the AP Top 25.

The Tigers also hold a 5-2 record against the AP's top 10.

Alabama overcame a 14-point second-half deficit to tie the game but never took the lead. Senior Mark Sears led the way for the Crimson Tide with 18 points.

Saturday's contest was the first home game in which Alabama had never held a lead since Nate Oats became the Crimson Tide's head coach in 2019, according to Borzello.

Alabama will look to get its win back against Auburn when they face each other again March 8.

"We're not in full control of our destiny to win the league outright, but we are in control of our destiny to at least get a tie going forward," Oats said. "We'll see the maturity and leadership we have coming in on Monday."