Auburn, AL (EETV)- For the third straight time in two weeks, Auburn had to escape in OT again this time to their in-state rival Alabama by a final of 95-91.
The Crimson Tide gave all the Tigers could handle as they knocked down an SEC record 22 three-pointers. Jaden Shackelford led the Tide with 28 points and Kira Lewis Jr earned a triple-double.
Although Auburn came out on top, Freshaman Isaac Okoro went down with a pulled hamstring. Coach Pearl addressed his condition after the game saying, “He's got a hamstring pull and he'll be evaluated tomorrow. I don't think it's anything structural. So if he is out, it's because he absolutely can't go. He's just such a tough kid.”
Despite the injury, Okoro led the team in scoring with 19 points and two steals. Samir Doughty and Austin Wiley would both score 18 points as Wiley would add on another double-double to his career.
Auburn started out hot as Anferenee McLemore scored the first eight points of the game as the Tigers would go up 16-0 at the start of the game.
Alabama clawed their way back in with an abundance of three point shots. The Crimson Tide would shoot 59 three pointers before the final whistle sounded.
Auburn held the lead for the majority of the game until John Petty tied it up with a three-point shot with just 14 seconds to play. Auburn would get a shot to win the game, but J'von McCormick would miss a long three-pointer, sending the game into overtime.
Samir Doughty made a difference as he scored the first six points in OT. Alabama hit two more three pointers, but would fall short after turning the ball over to Auburn with under thirty seconds remaining.
Auburn's record is now 22-2 (9-2 SEC) and they will go on the road this weekend to Missouri on Saturday. The game will be televised on ESPN2 with tip-off at 5PM.
