4 thrilling observations as Alabama uses a big second half to take down Auburn

Alabama overcame a rough first half to score 59 second-half points to take down Auburn 96-92 on Saturday afternoon at Neville Arena.

Alabama trailed by as many as 10 in the first half and found itself down by four at halftime thanks mainly to turnovers. The Crimson Tide turned it over nine times in the first half, which directly led to 15 points for the Tigers as Alabama went to the locker room trailing by four.

But Alabama only gave it away five times in the second half and got the offense rolling, producing 59 points over the final 20 minutes. For the game, Alabama shot 54% from the floor, 52% from three, and 87% from the free-throw line to earn a major road victory.

That's back-to-back wins for Alabama over Auburn on the road. A year ago, Mark Sears' buzzer-beater in overtime spoiled Senior Day for the Tigers.

The most important observations from Alabama's road win over Auburn

1. Aden Holloway came up clutch vs. his former team

Holloway scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half and came up with a couple of clutch baskets and made a pair of big free throws down the stretch to help Alabama pull out the win.

With 2:32 to play and Alabama leading 83-81, Holloway splashed a three while getting fouled. The four-point play pushed the Crimson Tide's lead to six.

On the next possession following a pair of Keyshawn Hall free throws, Holloway made a ridiculous off-hand runner in the lane to push the Alabama lead back to six.

After an Auburn three, Holloway hit a pair of free throws to give Alabama a two-possession lead late.

It had to feel good for the Auburn transfer to make pivotal plays down the stretch to beat his old team in his old stomping grounds.

2. Labaron Philon was the best player on the floor

Philon was a game-time decision and clearly less than 100%, but there was little doubt who the best player on the court was on Saturday. The star sophomore guard gutted out his thigh bruise and led Alabama with 25 points, five rebounds, and six assists. He connected on 3-of-6 from three and shook off some early turnover issues.

Philon is an Alabama kid who always dreamed of playing in this rivalry game. He made the most of his second opportunity at Neville.

3. A pair of freshmen came up huge for Alabama

Amari Allen and London Jemison have been critical for Nate Oats this season. Allen continues to get the bulk of the press, for good reason, but Jemison's development has been a major recent swing.

Allen scored 17 points on an efficient 5-of-8 from the floor, adding six rebounds and four assists in the process. The freshman star was unafraid of the moment, drilling a clutch three, too.

Jemison only played 15 minutes due to foul trouble, but he was in the game for Alabama down the stretch, and the Crimson Tide was a +11 when he was on the court. Jemison scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds, but he made a couple of hustle plays that were critical in swinging the game toward the Tide.

4. Aiden Sherrell's rim protection made a big difference

The energy of the Auburn crowd was squarely on Charles Bediako in what might have been his final game for Alabama, and while the former G-Leaguer scored 12 points and made a difference, it was Alabama's sophomore center Aiden Sherrell whose rim protection was a difference-maker.

Sherrell blocked four shots, including a major one down the stretch. With Alabama leading by five with under 40 seconds to go, Sherrell blocked KeShawn Murphy at the rim to preserve the Tide's two-possession lead. He should have got a fifth block too, but an erroneous goaltend call awarded Auburn a basket it didn't deserve.

Sherrell's defensive improvement from last year has been major for Alabama, and it certainly made a difference today.