Neville Arena was absolutely rocking last night, and honestly, it needed to be. If you’re looking for the quick answer to what is score of auburn game, the Tigers managed to pull out a stressful 71-67 victory over South Carolina. It wasn't pretty. In fact, for long stretches of the second half, it felt like the Gamecocks might actually spoil the party in Auburn. But as is usually the case with Steven Pearl’s squad this season, they found a way to grind it out when the shots weren't falling.
Winning 10 straight against the same SEC opponent is no joke. That’s exactly what Auburn has done to South Carolina now, but this one felt different than the blowouts of years past.
Filip Jovic and the "Next Man Up" Reality
The biggest story coming out of the what is score of auburn game wasn't just the final tally, but how they got there without their usual offensive fireworks from Keyshawn Hall. Hall got slapped with early foul trouble—three in the first half—and basically lived on the bench. He finished with only eight points, the first time all year he hasn't hit double digits.
That’s where Filip Jovic stepped in. The freshman was a literal wrecking crew. He dropped a career-high 23 points and seemed to be the only person on the floor who realized you can score more easily by standing near the rim. Jovic went 9-of-12 from the floor. He’s now shooting over 80% in SEC play, which is a stat that feels like a typo but is very much real.
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Why the Score Was Closer Than It Should Have Been
If you looked at the box score without seeing the final, you’d think Auburn lost. They shot 2-for-19 from three-point range. That is 10.5%. You usually don't win basketball games in 2026 shooting like that. After Tahaad Pettiford hit a three to start the game, the Tigers went on a cold streak that felt like it lasted an eternity—missing 17 straight from deep.
South Carolina hung around because Meechie Johnson decided to turn into a flamethrower late. He hit a contested 25-footer with four seconds left to cut the lead to two. For a second, the sellout crowd of 9,121 held its collective breath. Fortunately, Kevin Overton stepped to the line and buried two free throws to ice it.
The Tigers basically survived on two things:
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- The Paint: They outscored the Gamecocks 42-26 down low.
- The Charity Stripe: Auburn went 23-of-30 from the free-throw line.
What This Means for the SEC Standings
This win moves Auburn to 11-7 overall and 2-3 in the conference. It’s a massive sigh of relief after that disappointing road loss to Missouri earlier in the week. The SEC is a gauntlet this year, and dropping a home game to South Carolina would have been a disaster for their tournament resume.
Honestly, the defense is what saved them. Holding South Carolina to 24 points in the first half on 25% shooting allowed Auburn to build enough of a cushion to survive their own shooting slump. KeShawn Murphy and Sebastian Williams-Adams both chipped in 11 points, providing just enough secondary scoring to keep the lead intact.
Looking Ahead to Ole Miss
Now that the what is score of auburn game is settled and in the win column, the focus shifts to a Tuesday night trip to Oxford. Ole Miss is never an easy place to play, and the Tigers are going to need Keyshawn Hall to stay on the floor if they want to get back to .500 in league play.
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If you're following the team's trajectory, keep an eye on the injury report for Filip Jovic. He’s been dealing with a nagging knee issue from the Texas A&M game, though he clearly looked fine last night. If he continues this level of efficiency, the Tigers' ceiling changes completely.
Practical Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the local listings for Tuesday's 8:00 PM CT tipoff on ESPNU against Ole Miss.
- Keep an eye on the NET rankings; this win over South Carolina helps stabilize a fluctuating resume.
- If you're heading to Neville Arena for the next home stand, remember it’s the 79th consecutive sellout—get your tickets weeks in advance.