Grant Nelson Propels Alabama to Season-Ending Victory

Auburn, Ala. - The Alabama Crimson Tide (24-7, 13-5) sputtered down the stretch of the regular season, losing four of its last six games against SEC competition before hitting the road to take on No. 1 Auburn (27-4, 15-3) inside Neville Arena in the regular season finale.

Get our free mobile app

A win would put Alabama back in the conversation for a one-seed in the NCAA tournament, while a loss would discourage Alabama with five losses in its last seven games as the Crimson Tide fell to the four-seed in the SEC tournament next week in Nashville, Tennessee.

Alabama opened the game on a quick 10-4 run into the first media timeout. All the concerns from the last several games seemed to be in the past as the Crimson Tide played dominant basketball on the boards, led by a rejuvinated-looking Grant Nelson who could rise to the challenge in a way unseen since Alabama's victory over Kentucky in Rupp Arena in January. In addition to good work under the basket, Nelson was a sharp shooter from three in the first half, sinking two of three attempts from range to lead the Crimson Tide at halftime.

Auburn focused on Alabama's leading scorer this season - Mark Sears. Sears was held to just three points in the first half, making one of Alabama's four made threes in the first half. Despite the emphasis on Sears and shutting down Alabama's prolific three-point shooting, Alabama was able to lean on freshman Aiden Sherrell as a presence in the post against Auburn's National Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome. Sherrell scored six points while collecting seven rebounds in the first half to help propel the Crimson Tide to a 45-42 lead heading into the half.

Auburn kept it interesting in the second half, if nothing more, than from an officiating standpoint. Chad Baker-Mazara, Auburn's senior guard, and Chris Youngblood, Alabama's senior guard, got tied up multiple times in the game, with Youngblood walking away with an eye laceration. Baker-Mazara later threw an elbow into the back of Youngblood's head, resulting in him being ejected from the game with a flagrant two foul. Youngblood on the ensuing free throws missed both of them, likely because he was not aiming for the middle basket.

The Jungle was roaring in the second half, affecting Alabama's focus and execution, leading to crushing turnovers for Alabama. Auburn was able to capitalize with TO PTS to continue pushing Alabama down the wire in this contest.

A late turnover with a one-point lead looked to cost Alabama a chance at a major upset victory. After a defensive rebound, Jarin Stevenson lost the ball in the vicinity of Mark Sears, and Johni Broome jumped on it before calling timeout, giving Auburn a chance to come up with a play to drive the dagger into Alabama.

Chris Youngblood then fouled Tahaad Pettiford, but he could only come away with one made free throw on three attempts. Grant Nelson then gave Alabama another lead in an iso jumper against Johni Broome.

On the next possession, Alabama forced a turnover by Auburn with 1:35 left. Nelson traveled, giving the momentum back to Auburn with 1:09 left with the Crimson Tide up by just two points.

Johni Broome ties the game 79-79 with 50 seconds to go.

After a Mouhamed Dioubate missed basket, Auburn had a chance with a three-second difference between the shot and game clock to take down Alabama.

Overtime saw body shot after body shot from both Alabama and Auburn. Labaron Philon was able to pick the pocket of Tahaad Pettiford to give the Crimson Tide a two-point lead with two minutes left.

Mark Sears, who had an uncharacteristically quiet night, made his presence felt on the final possession.

It was tough, gritty, and not at all easy, but Alabama clawed its way to a 93-91 victory over the top team in the country to secure the three-seed in the SEC tournament, and settle the noise around the Crimson Tide program as tournament play is now here.

Alabama Stat Leaders

Points: Grant Nelson - 23
Assists: Mark Sears - 7
Rebounds: Grant Nelson - 8

Alabama Players with Double Digit Points

Grant Nelson - 23
Clifford Omoruyi - 15
Labaron Philon - 15

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_.