The Alabama Crimson Tide set two 2025-26 season records against Auburn in the Crimson Tide's 96-92 win. Alabama took its fewest three-point shot attempts of the season AND recorded its season-high three-point makes at 52%. The fewest attempts were not a Nate Oats strategy. It was the result of Auburn's focus on denying threes. For long portions of the game, Auburn defenders cloaked Aden Holloway, taking away good looks from outside the arc. Holloway fought his way to 15 points on 12 field goal attempts, only three of which were three-point shots.
The Auburn Tigers led by 10 points with 2:33 left in the first half. The lead was mostly built on Alabama turnovers, followed by Auburn's points off turnovers. Alabama made nine first-half turnovers, with Labaron Philon committing three. The Crimson Tide finished the first half on a 10-5 run, cuttingthe lead to four points at the break.
Auburn's defensive plan was effective in the first half, holding the Crimson Tide to 37 points. Except for two minutes in the second half when a gimpy-legged Taylor Bol Bowen tried to play, Nate Oats used just seven players. Latrell Wrightsell played 10 minutes in the first half before being lost to a knee injury. With the thinned roster, the Tide's normally blistering pace slowed in the second half. But Alabama exploded offensively with 59 second-half points.
Alabama Basketball Offensive Efficiency
LaBaron Philon was the glue that held Alabama together in the second half. He finished with 25 points, six assists, five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. After his early three turnovers, Philon only gave up the ball once more.
Alabama's Points Per Possession stat in the second half was 1.55, compared to Auburn at 1.42. The Tide's second-half three-point shooting was 58.3%, compared to Auburn's at 35.7%. Alabama was 18-of-20 at the foul line, 90%, compared to Auburn's second-half free throw percentage of 75%.
Auburn played well, but the Alabama Crimson Tide played better to gain the tough road win. Nate Oats and his players relished quieting a rowdy Neville Arena crowd
Note: Stats provided by StatBroadcast