No. 1 Auburn narrowly defeated No. 6 Tennessee 53-51, thanks to Miles Kelly’s crucial 3-pointer with just 30 seconds left in the game. Johni Broome made a significant impact in his return, contributing 16 points and 13 rebounds, helping Auburn extend its winning streak to 11 games.
Auburn (18-1, 6-0 SEC) faced a tough challenge from Tennessee’s aggressive defense, which limited the Tigers to their lowest scoring output of the season. Kelly’s timely 3-pointer, set up by Broome, flipped a two-point deficit into a one-point advantage.
In a tense final moment, Tennessee had an opportunity to reclaim the lead, but Zakai Zeigler’s 3-point attempt fell short.
Zeigler led the Volunteers (17-3, 4-3) with 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Chaz Lanier contributed 10 points, including two pivotal 3-pointers during the second half.
Both teams struggled offensively, each shooting below 32% from the field in what was a fiercely contested defensive clash.
Takeaways
For Tennessee, the road woes continued as they faced another shooting slump away from home, marking their third loss in SEC play on the road.
On the other hand, Broome’s return was a game-changer for Auburn, showcasing his vital role in the Tigers’ offense despite not being at full strength.
Key moment
Kelly’s decisive 3-pointer, coupled with Broome’s defensive efforts, solidified Auburn’s position as the only unbeaten team in SEC play.
Key stat
With Broome back in action, Auburn dominated the boards, out-rebounding Tennessee 41-37.
Up next
Tennessee will host No. 9 Kentucky on Tuesday, while Auburn is set to travel to face LSU on Wednesday.
