Alabama Tops No. 1 Auburn in Overtime Thriller

In a thrilling overtime matchup, No. 7 Alabama defeated No. 1 Auburn 93-91, with Mark Sears hitting a game-winning floater at the buzzer. This victory ended Alabama's two-game losing streak and marked the first time since 2021 that a player made a buzzer-beater to defeat an AP No. 1 team. Grant Nelson led Alabama with 23 points, while Johni Broome of Auburn scored 34 points, including crucial baskets to tie the game in regulation and overtime. Auburn's second-leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara was ejected in the final minutes, impacting their performance. This win not only boosts Alabama's confidence but also highlights the intense rivalry between the two teams. Alabama coach Nate Oats emphasized the importance of pride in the outcome, while Auburn had already secured the SEC regular-season title prior to this game.