If you were looking for a high-flying offensive clinic at Neville Arena this week, you probably walked away disappointed. But if you wanted to see two bitter rivals basically engage in a 40-minute street fight on hardwood, then Thursday night was your Super Bowl.
The final Alabama vs Auburn basketball score ended with Auburn on top, 58-54. It was "grungy." It was ugly. Honestly, it was exactly what an Iron Bowl on the court should look like when the shots aren't falling and the defense is dialed up to eleven.
The Final Score and How It Happened
Auburn entered this matchup as the underdog against a No. 21 ranked Alabama squad that usually scores in bunches. Usually. But Auburn’s first-year head coach, Larry Vickers, clearly had other plans. He mentioned after the game that program legend DeWanna Bonner told him, "I don't care what you do, just beat Alabama."
Mission accomplished.
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The Tigers held the Crimson Tide nearly 20 points below their season average. You don’t do that by accident. They forced 18 turnovers and contested every single look. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Alabama was gassed.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
- 1st Quarter: Auburn 11, Alabama 8 (A defensive slog from the jump)
- 2nd Quarter: Alabama 21, Auburn 19 (The Tide's best offensive stretch)
- 3rd Quarter: Auburn 13, Alabama 8 (Auburn reclaims control)
- 4th Quarter: Auburn 15, Alabama 17 (The free-throw clinic)
Why Alabama Couldn't Close the Gap
Alabama had their chances. Karly Weathers was a beast on the glass, finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the year. Jessica Timmons did what she does, leading the Tide with 16 points and even hitting a massive 28-foot triple with 31 seconds left to cut the lead to two.
But the finish was messy.
With 15 seconds left and a chance to tie or win, Timmons drove into the lane and got whistled for a charging foul. Syriah Daniels stood her ground, took the hit, and effectively ended the comeback. It’s the kind of play that doesn’t show up in the flashy highlights but wins games.
Alabama’s shooting splits were rough:
- Field Goals: 44% (22-of-50)
- 3-Pointers: 25% (5-of-20)
- Free Throws: 62.5% (5-of-8)
When you're only getting to the line eight times in a rivalry game, you're not playing aggressive enough. Auburn, meanwhile, went 12-of-14 from the stripe, including a perfect 10-for-10 in the fourth quarter. That was the game right there.
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Auburn’s Defense Was the Real Story
Khady Leye led the Tigers with 16 points, but her impact felt even bigger. She and Kaitlyn Duhon (10 points) seemed to be everywhere. The Tigers led for over 33 minutes of the game. Alabama, on the other hand, held the lead for just five minutes and eight seconds.
It felt like Auburn was dictated the pace from the opening tip. They weren't playing "pretty" basketball; they were playing winning basketball. They turned seven first-quarter turnovers into nine points. They scrapped for every loose ball.
What This Means for Both Teams
For Alabama (17-2, 3-2 SEC), this is a wake-up call. You can't have "uncharacteristic pace" and expect to win on the road in the SEC. Coach Kristy Curry was blunt after the game, noting they gave up too many critical offensive rebounds and turned the ball over way too much.
Auburn (13-6, 2-3 SEC) finally has that signature win. This was their second SEC win of the season, and doing it against a ranked rival at home is a massive building block for Vickers’ program.
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Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the Perimeter: Alabama's 25% shooting from deep is a red flag. If they can't space the floor, teams will continue to pack the paint against them.
- Ice the Line: Auburn proved that late-game free throws aren't just a stat—they are the difference between an upset and a heartbreak.
- Home Court Matters: Neville Arena was loud, and the pressure clearly got to the Tide in the final seconds.
Keep an eye on the rematch later this season. If Alabama can't figure out how to handle Auburn's physical perimeter defense, the Alabama vs Auburn basketball score might look very similar the next time around.
Next up, Alabama returns home to face No. 20 Tennessee, while Auburn travels to take on No. 5 Vanderbilt. The SEC grind never stops.