So, if you're frantically checking your phone to see what is the score of the auburn basketball game, I've got the latest for you. Auburn just wrapped up a real nail-biter against South Carolina at Neville Arena.
The Tigers walked away with a 71-67 victory.
It wasn't exactly pretty. Honestly, for a good chunk of the night, it felt like neither team could throw a rock into the ocean. But a win is a win in the SEC, right? This one moves Steven Pearl’s squad to 11-7 on the season and, maybe more importantly, 2-3 in conference play. After that rough patch they had, including the loss to Missouri earlier in the week, they really needed this.
The Filip Jović Show
If you didn't watch the game, you missed the Filip Jović breakout party. The Serbian freshman was basically the entire offense for long stretches. He ended up with a career-high 23 points. He didn't just score; he was efficient as heck, going 9-of-12 from the floor.
At one point in the second half, he went coast-to-coast after a steal for a massive two-handed dunk. It brought the "Jungle" to life. The energy in that building is always insane, but that play specifically felt like the moment Auburn finally grabbed control of the game.
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A Quick Box Score Breakdown
- Final Score: Auburn 71, South Carolina 67
- Halftime Score: Auburn 30, South Carolina 24
- Top Scorer: Filip Jović (23 pts, 6 rebs)
- Other Notables: Sebastian Williams-Adams (11 pts, 8 rebs) and KeShawn Murphy (11 pts)
Why the Score Was Closer Than It Looked
Auburn actually led by 11 points with about five minutes left. You’d think they’d cruise from there. Nope.
South Carolina's Meechie Johnson decided he wasn't going away quietly. He hit a contested 25-footer with four seconds left that cut the lead to just two points. It was one of those "oh no, not again" moments for the Auburn faithful.
Thankfully, Kevin Overton has ice in his veins. He got fouled immediately and sank both free throws to ice it.
Shooting Struggles and "Old Fashioned" Ball
You might be wondering why the score stayed in the low 70s. Well, Auburn's three-point shooting was... let's just say "rough." They finished 2-of-19 from beyond the arc. That's about 10.5%. Usually, that’s a recipe for a loss.
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Instead of forcing shots that weren't falling, they just started bullying South Carolina in the paint. They outscored the Gamecocks 42-26 down low. It was gritty. It was "ugly" basketball, as Steven Pearl called it after the game, but it worked.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Team
A lot of folks look at the 11-7 record and think this Auburn team has taken a massive step back. It’s a bit more nuanced than that.
The SEC is a meat grinder this year. Three of Auburn’s first five conference games have been decided by four points or fewer. They aren't getting blown out; they’re just learning how to finish. Seeing a freshman like Jović step up while Keyshawn Hall had a bit of an off night (dealing with foul trouble and turnovers) is actually a huge sign of growth for the depth of this roster.
Key Stats That Actually Mattered
- Free Throws: Auburn went 23-of-30 from the line. In a four-point game, that's the whole story.
- Paint Points: 42 points. They realized the perimeter was a lost cause and went to work inside.
- Steals: They recorded 10 steals. The defense is starting to look like a Pearl-coached unit again.
Looking Ahead: What's Next for Auburn?
Now that you know the score of the auburn basketball game from Saturday, your eyes should probably turn to the road. Winning at home is great—Neville Arena has now seen 79 consecutive sellouts—but the Tigers have to prove they can do it on the travel bus.
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They head to Oxford to take on Ole Miss this Tuesday, January 20th. Tip-off is set for 8:00 PM CST. Auburn has won nine straight against the Rebels, so the historical advantage is there, but playing in the SJB Pavilion is never a cakewalk. After that, it's a trip to Gainesville to face Florida on Saturday.
If they can split those two road games, the conversation around this team starts to change from "struggling" to "contending."
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Keep an eye on the injury report: With the physicality of the South Carolina game, watch for any news on the bigs' health.
- Betting Note: If you're into the spreads, Auburn has been a rollercoaster, but their defense at home remains one of the most reliable "under" bets in the league.
- Stream the next game: The Ole Miss game will be on SEC Network or ESPN2—make sure your subscriptions are active before Tuesday night.
The Tigers are finding their identity. It might not involve the flashy three-point barrages we've seen in years past, but if Jović keeps playing like an All-SEC talent, they’re going to be a very tough out in March.