The No. 1 Auburn Tigers showed their resilience yet again on Saturday night, narrowly escaping a ferocious challenge from the Georgia Bulldogs with a 70-68 victory. The win not only preserved Auburn’s unbeaten run in SEC play but also extended their impressive win streak to 12 games.
Playing in front of a raucous crowd in Athens, Georgia, the Bulldogs came prepared to deliver an upset against the top-ranked Tigers.
Led by star forward Mike White, Georgia overcame a double-digit deficit in the second half to mount a furious comeback. With just under two minutes remaining, the Bulldogs cut Auburn’s lead to a single possession, putting immense pressure on Bruce Pearl’s squad.
The Tigers leaned heavily on their standout guard, Wendell Green Jr., who delivered in crunch time with clutch free throws and a critical defensive stop in the final moments. Green finished with 18 points, 6 assists, and a steal, proving once again why he’s the heartbeat of this Auburn team. Forward Johni Broome also played a pivotal role, securing a key rebound off a missed Georgia three-pointer that could have flipped the outcome.
For Georgia, the loss was a tough pill to swallow. Despite the valiant effort, their record dropped to 14-4, while Auburn improved to 18-1. “Effort isn’t among our regrets,” Georgia head coach Mike White said postgame. “We battled the best team in the nation and came up just short. That’s all you can ask for.”
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl praised his team’s grit but admitted there’s room for improvement. “We didn’t play our best basketball, but we found a way to win, and that’s what champions do,” Pearl stated.
The victory cements Auburn’s position at the top of the SEC and keeps their momentum alive heading into the heart of the conference schedule. Up next, the Tigers will face another stern test when they host the surging Missouri Tigers, while Georgia will look to rebound against South Carolina.
As Auburn continues its quest for SEC dominance, fans are left wondering—how far can this team go?
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