Alabama Falls in Game of the Year to Auburn

Tuscaloosa, Ala. - The game of the year lived up to the hype for the Auburn Tigers, but saw the Crimson Tide faithful heading for the exits early in Coleman Coliseum, indicating how the game went for Alabama.

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Auburn was able to dictate the pace of play and despite good performances on the glass by Clifford Omoruyi and Grant Nelson, Alabama was unable to match the physicality of the Tigers as Auburn defeated Alabama 94-85.

The Tigers arrived early, dominating the game's first four minutes with a 9-0 run to open things up. Alabama would spend the rest of the match trying to play catch up, but the home shooting woes continued to rear its ugly head in the loss to Auburn. Alabama shot just 31% from the field, 13% from three-point range, and 69% from the free throw stripe in the first half.

Alabama also ended the first half on a three-minute, 38-second scoring drought. The Crimson Tide had a chance to cut a two-point deficit at the under-four media timeout and potentially take a lead into halftime. Instead, Alabama was held scoreless, falling to a nine-point deficit heading into halftime - the first time this season Alabama went into halftime trailing.

Despite the poor performance, the path was clear for Alabama - continue the dominance in the rebounding game and improve the three-point shooting, and the Tide could have a ball game in the second half.

Then, Auburn proved why it was the No. 1 team in the country, extending its lead to 15 points 10 minutes into the second half. Alabama would not go quietly into the night, however. The Crimson Tide turned it around in less than two minutes, with Labaron Philon making a contested jumper before lobbing the ball to Omoruyi on the next possession. On the third possession, Mark Sears hit a deep three to cut it to a three-point deficit - the lowest Alabama had since the four-minute mark in the first half.

In the second half, the lid came off the basket, and Alabama and Auburn were going shot for shot with one another.

Sears made a three, Nelson slammed down a dunk, Pettiford made a three, Youngblood made a three, and Baker-Mazara made a three.

Shot after shot, Alabama and Auburn went back and forth, delivering in the game of the century.

Alabama had a chance to capitalize on all positive momentum, with Chad Baker-Mazara sitting in foul trouble, Dylan Cardwell fouling out, and Johni Broome sitting while dealing with an injury.

The Crimson Tide may be good, but not quite No. 1 in the country. Alabama was unable to make a shot on a crucial possession just before the under-four media timeout. Sears missed a three-point shot, with Jarin Stevenson collecting a rebound before going up too strong on the offensive putback. To put the icing on the cake, he fouled Miles Kelly to give Auburn a chance at a one-and-one free throw opportunity.

As a result, Auburn was able to put a six-point lead to nine points with just over three minutes left in the contest.

The Tigers weathered the storm, as Alabama continued to have opportunities with a flagrant foul on Auburn, Sears driving to the basket, and Mo Dioubate collecting rebounds. Auburn responded again, by forcing a turnover, blocking a shot by Sears, and gaining favorable possession with the possession arrow to cement a quad one victory for the Tigers over the Crimson Tide in Coleman Coliseum.

By The Numbers

Field Goal Shooting:

Alabama - 27-70 (39%)
Auburn - 30-65 (46%)

Three-Point Shooting:

Alabama - 5-26 (19%)
Auburn - 12-30 (40%)

Free Throws

Alabama - 26-35 (74%)
Auburn - 22-32 (69%)

The Crimson Tide will face the Tigers again on March 8, in the final game of the regular season in Neville Arena.

Alabama's next game will come on Wednesday, February 19, when Alabama travels to Columbia to take on the Missouri Tigers.

Stat Leaders for Alabama

Points: Mark Sears - 18
Rebounds: Clifford Omoruyi - 12
Assists: Labaron Philon - 2

Alabama Players in Double Digit Points

Mark Sears - 18 points
Grant Nelson - 12 points
Labaron Philon - 10 points

Grant Nelson also had a double-double in the loss, scoring 12 points and collecting 12 rebounds.

Wyatt Fulton is the TIde 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.