Alabama 100-81 Tuesday, Auburn Arena. This win swept the series behind Wendell Green Jr.’s Season-high 23 points Walker Kessler’s Eighth double-double of season
Auburn coach: “Great team effort” Bruce Pearl said. It is important to outrebound Alabama (47-40). Once again, it’s all about the sum of our parts. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team where any of them could be taken and I could tell you why that child was the best. Both teams are affected by this game. It’s a great rivalry. It’s important to our fans.”
Green had eight rebounds and six assists, leading five Tigers to double-digits.
Green stated, “I had a rough two games in the past and I knew this would be a big one.” “I wanted my teammates to see me. They advised me to return to myself, which I did and it worked.
Kessler was able to do it all with 14 points, 12 rebound, eight blocks, and four steals.
Kessler said, “I wanted it,” after Kessler played 12 minutes and was ejected in Auburn’s win in Tuscaloosa of Jan. 11. “I felt like I missed the last game that I had the chance to play. This game was exciting for me. “I’m glad we beat Alabama.”
Pearl stated, “Unbelievable impact.” Walker is a great kid. He is a strong kid. He blocked eight shots, and he changed eight. He was an important factor at the rim.
Jabari Smith Scored 17 points K.D. Johnson Scored 13 Allen Flanigan Additional 10.
Auburn crossed the 100-mark with just 28 seconds to go on walk-on Carter Sobera’s Three-point play that delighted the crowd.
Kessler stated, “It was fun.” “Carter’s and one was probably my favorite part of the game. Without our fans, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
Auburn was trailing Alabama by 14-8 at halftime, 4-5. Auburn gained momentum with Green’s 3-pointer and Kessler’s free throw and putback. Johnson’s baseline drive helped to regain control.
The Tigers switched from a zone defense to the second half. They got stops and turned the ball over while slowly increasing their lead down the stretch.
Pearl stated, “The zone slowed down them and put them on their perimeter.” The bench and that zone made all the difference. Alabama ran a great start to the second half. Our bench was able to make several stops. It was a very effective change.”
Auburn had only eight turnovers and outscored Alabama 52-22 on the paint and 44-20 on bench points.
Auburn shot 57.1 per cent in the first period and used 9-0, 11-0 runs to take a 51-37 lead at halftime.
Green grabbed a defensive rebound to hit a 3-pointer that capped a 9-0 Auburn run that brought Auburn up 19-14. This erased an Alabama lead.
Green stated, “It was fun.” It was noisy in there.
In 18 seconds, the Tigers scored six points unanswered. Green spun to basket and was fouled on a layup for 3-point play. This was followed shortly thereafter by Devan Cambridge’s 3-pointer.
Dylan Cardwell Smith made a layup and dunked an alleyoop. This culminated in an 11-0 run, which gave the Tigers a lead of 44 to 26. Auburn was reduced to 19 points by Alabama’s trio of 3-pointers during the second half.
Bill Lynn and Pearl are the only Auburn coaches who have led the Tigers to three consecutive home-and-home wins over Alabama. From 1969 to 1971, Auburn defeated Alabama three times in a row under Lynn. The Tigers have won the home-and-home rivalry in 2017 and 2019, led by Pearl.
Pearl stated, “It means so many because we have such respect for their abilities.” “We beat 19 teams that had beaten three other teams in the Final Four last season. It’s a great win.
Auburn (21-1; 9-0), will begin the second half on Saturday at Georgia, at noon CT on SEC Network.
