Clutch Free Throws, Lockdown Defense Deliver Tigers’ First Top-25 Victory Since 2024
AUBURN, Ala. | In a rivalry game defined by toughness, composure, and late-game nerve, the Auburn Tigers delivered a statement win Wednesday night, knocking off the Alabama Crimson Tide 58–54 to claim in-state bragging rights and their first top-25 victory since 2024.
Auburn sealed the win at the free-throw line, going a perfect 10-for-10 in the fourth quarter while holding Alabama nearly 20 points below its season scoring average. The result marked a signature moment for first-year head coach Larry Vickers, who earned his first rivalry win in Neville Arena.
“I’m super proud of my team,” Vickers said after the game. “They came out with a different level of intensity and did a tremendous job of making Alabama work for everything they got. Defensively, this was by far our most complete game.”
