Auburn Falls to Texas A&M in Wild Buzzer-Beater Finish

January 6, 2026 - Auburn, Ala. - In a game filled with momentum swings, controversial calls, and last-second drama, the Auburn Tigers suffered a heartbreaking 90–88 loss to Texas A&M on Tuesday night, Jan. 6. The Tigers led by as many as 16 points in the second half, but a furious Aggie comeback and a waved-off buzzer-beater sealed Auburn's fate in its first SEC home game of the season.

Auburn's Hot Start and Second-Half Collapse

Auburn (9–6, 0–2 SEC) entered the second half with a 10-point lead and extended it to 61–45 with just over 12 minutes remaining. But Texas A&M (12–3, 2–0 SEC), led by head coach Bucky McMillan's aggressive full-court press, flipped the script. The Aggies outscored Auburn 45–27 in the final stretch, forcing 13 turnovers and converting them into 22 points.

Pop Isaacs led Texas A&M with 21 points off the bench, including clutch three-pointers that gave the Aggies their first lead and eventual cushion. Jacari Lane added 15 points and seven rebounds, while Rashaun Agee and Ruben Dominguez chipped in 14 each.

KeShawn Murphy's Shot - and the Controversy

With 0.6 seconds left, Auburn's KeShawn Murphy launched a deep three-pointer that appeared to win the game. The shot was initially ruled good, sending Neville Arena into celebration. But after review, officials determined the ball left Murphy's hands after the buzzer - nullifying the basket and handing Texas A&M the win.

Head coach Steven Pearl expressed frustration with the officiating, saying the crew offered "zero communication" and left the court without explanation. Pearl also questioned the clock management and whether Texas A&M's final possession should have reset the game clock.

Standout Performances

- Keyshawn Hall (Auburn): 32 points, 12 rebounds, dominant in the paint and at the free-throw line.

- Kevin Overton (Auburn): 16 points, steady scoring presence.

- Pop Isaacs (Texas A&M): 21 points, 4-for-8 from three, key contributor in comeback.

- Jacari Lane (Texas A&M): 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 threes.

What's Next for Auburn

The Tigers will host No. 15 Arkansas on Saturday, looking to rebound from back-to-back SEC losses. With injuries mounting and defensive lapses costing late-game leads, Auburn faces a critical stretch to stay competitive in conference play.