Tennessee took down top-seeded Auburn 80-75 to succeed in the SEC Match championship recreation.
The Volunteers turned it up a notch on protection within the second half to construct a double-digit lead. The Tigers answered again, chopping it to 3, however Tennessee staved them off ultimately.
The defeat was No. 3 Auburn’s third in its previous 4 video games. The Tigers (28-5) had gained 20 out of 21 video games earlier than this current slip up. They need to nonetheless be a one-seed within the NCAA Match, however they go in instantly seeming beatable.
The fourth-seeded Volunteers (27-6) obtained revenge for each their Jan. 25 loss at Auburn and their 2019 loss to the Tigers on this event’s title recreation. The victory additionally sustains No. 8 Tennessee’s hopes for a one-seed within the NCAA Match, a case that may solely develop stronger if it might probably win the SEC Match championship.
Level guard Zakai Zeigler had 20 factors for the Volunteers, Jordan Gainey added 15 factors and Chaz Lanier had 12.
SEC participant of the yr Johni Broome led Auburn with 23 factors, Miles Kelly added 13 and Denver Jones had 10.
Auburn led 33-32 at halftime because of a late 10-0 spurt. The Tigers final led at 48-47.
Takeaways
Tennessee: The Vols are taking part in of their fourth ultimate within the final seven tournaments. They gained in Tampa in 2022 and misplaced the title recreation in each 2018 and 2019. They improved to 12-8 on this event below coach Rick Barnes, who obtained his 833rd profession victory.
Auburn: The Tigers got here in searching for a fourth event title and third below coach Bruce Pearl. Not solely did they win with Pearl final yr and in 2019, additionally they gained in 1985.
Key second
Tennessee by no means trailed after a 13-1 run to go up 60-49 capped by Zeigler’s 3 from the highest of the circle with 7:17 left.
Key stat
The Vols had an edge on the free-throw line, making 25 of 27, together with 18 of 20 within the second half. Auburn was 13 of twenty-two. Jahmai Mashack sealed the win with 14 seconds left with the ultimate pair.
Up subsequent
Not solely may the highest No. 1 total seed that Auburn as soon as thought may belong the Tigers’ be gone, they study Sunday the place they land. Tennessee wanted a buzzer-beater to beat Alabama on March 1 and cut up with Florida through the common season.
Reporting by The Related Press.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Get extra from Faculty Basketball Comply with your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
