Alabama Rallies Past Auburn 96–92 in a Rivalry Thriller at Neville Arena

AUBURN, Ala. - February 7, 2026 - In a matchup that lived up to every ounce of Iron Bowl intensity, Alabama stormed back from a 10‑point deficit to defeat Auburn 96–92 on Saturday afternoon at a sold‑out Neville Arena. The win pushes the Crimson Tide to 16–7 overall and 6–4 in SEC play, while Auburn falls to 14–9 and 5–5 in the conference.

The game delivered everything fans expect from this rivalry: momentum swings, star performances, clutch shooting, and a second half that turned into a heavyweight exchange between two teams fighting for SEC positioning.

Philon Jr. Takes Over for Alabama

Alabama's comeback was fueled by the poise and shot‑making of Labaron Philon Jr., who finished with 25 points, six assists, and five rebounds. The freshman guard was the stabilizing force Alabama needed when Auburn threatened to pull away early in the second half.

Philon scored nine points in the first half, but his biggest contributions came after the break, when he repeatedly attacked the lane, drew contact, and created open looks for teammates. His ability to control pace helped Alabama flip the game's rhythm.

"Labaron was fearless," Alabama head coach Nate Oats said after the game. "He made the right reads, he hit big shots, and he kept us organized when the crowd was at its loudest."

Alabama's Supporting Cast Steps Up

While Philon was the headliner, Alabama's depth proved decisive.

- Amari Allen added 17 points and six rebounds, including a pair of momentum‑shifting threes during Alabama's 11–0 second‑half run.

- Aden Holloway chipped in 15 points, showing his trademark confidence from deep.

- Charles Bediako, recently reinstated to NCAA eligibility pending a court ruling, delivered 12 points on 5‑for‑5 shooting and anchored the interior with physicality.

- Aiden Sherrell contributed a game‑high four blocks, altering Auburn's attempts at the rim and helping Alabama close defensive possessions.

Alabama's second‑half surge was built on defensive stops, transition opportunities, and a renewed commitment to attacking the basket. The Tide outscored Auburn 59–51 after halftime and took the lead for good with 10:39 remaining.

Auburn's Stars Shine Despite the Loss

Auburn didn't go quietly-not in Neville Arena, and not in this rivalry.

Tahaad Pettiford matched Philon's brilliance with 25 points and seven assists, slicing through Alabama's defense with speed and creativity. His back‑to‑back layups in the final minute kept Auburn within striking distance.

Keyshawn Hall added 24 points, though Alabama's pressure forced him into 8‑for‑22 shooting, and he fouled out late as Auburn tried to mount one last push.

Kevin Overton scored 17, and Keshawn Murphy posted a 13‑point, 12‑rebound double‑double, giving Auburn valuable second‑chance opportunities.

Auburn led 41–37 at halftime, thanks in part to Overton's 11 first‑half points and a defensive effort that initially kept Alabama's shooters in check. But the Tigers struggled to contain Alabama's dribble penetration in the second half, and foul trouble limited their ability to stay aggressive.

A Game of Runs and Rivalry Pressure

The defining stretch came early in the second half. Auburn pushed its lead to 10, energizing the 9,121 fans packed into Neville Arena. But Alabama responded with an 11–0 run, fueled by defensive stops, transition buckets, and a pair of threes from Allen and Holloway.

Minutes later, Alabama strung together an 8–0 burst, flipping the momentum entirely. Auburn continued to trade blows, but the Tide's guard play proved too steady down the stretch.

The game featured:

- High‑level guard play on both sides

- Physical interior battles

- Multiple lead changes

- A rivalry atmosphere that never let either team relax

It was SEC basketball at its most intense.

"It is always nice to get a win (at Auburn)," said Coach Oats. "It's the first time since the 2011-12 seasons that we got back-to-back wins here. It was a tough and hard-fought win. I thought we closed the first half well. We were down 10 with two and a half minutes left and cut six points off the lead, that was huge. I told our guys at the half with how we were playing, we couldn't play much worse in the second half. We had nine turnovers and couldn't get anything going offensively. Defensively, we needed to get better after getting beat on the offensive glass."

"In the second half, we only had five turnovers and I thought our guards made some good shots," said Oats. "Holloway played some tough defense and Aiden Sherrell really bounced back with four blocks tonight. He was good down the stretch when we needed him. I thought Philon and Holloway played really well late in the game with Aden's four-point play and scoring 1,000 career points. It was nice for him to score his 1,000th point back here in a win."

What the Win Means for Alabama

The victory keeps Alabama firmly in the upper tier of the SEC standings and strengthens its NCAA Tournament résumé. With road wins becoming increasingly valuable in February, this one carries weight. The decision to play Bediako was risky; but thus far it has paid off for Coach Nate Oats and the Tide.

Alabama now turns its attention to Ole Miss on Wednesday, aiming to build on the momentum and continue climbing the conference ladder.

What's Next for Auburn

For Auburn, the loss stings-especially at home-but the Tigers remain in the thick of the SEC race. Steven Pearl's squad will look to regroup quickly before hosting No. 15 Vanderbilt on Tuesday, a matchup that could help stabilize their conference footing.

A Rivalry That Delivered Again

Saturday's showdown was everything fans expect from Alabama vs. Auburn: emotional, physical, and unpredictable. Both teams showcased their strengths, both had stretches of brilliance, and both proved they're capable of making noise in March.

But on this day, Alabama's guards-and its resilience-made the difference.