Auburn looked a season sweep of Alabama in the eyes then watched it brush by like a stranger in a crowd. The reduced-strength Tigers showed up and again played a shockingly good game of basketball against an Alabama team that is on the bubble of the NCAA tournament. Auburn got good production from Bowers and Spencer but couldn't hit enough free throws late to hold on to a ten point second half lead.
The first half started badly for the Tigers. Auburn hit only one of their first eight shots from the field during the first 8:30 of the ballgame.