Auburn
AUBURN, Ala. (03/17/2026) — A tale of two halves unfolded inside Neville Arena on Tuesday, as a dominant second-half performance powered the Auburn Tigers to a 78-67 comeback victory over the South Alabama Jaguars.
After trailing by six at halftime, Auburn exploded for 48 second-half points, fueled by a long-range barrage from guards Kevin Overton and Kaden Magwood. Keyshawn Hall and Overton finished with a team-high 21 points apiece, helping the Tigers overcome an exceptional 29-point effort from South Alabama’s Chaze Harris.
How It Happened
The South Alabama Jaguars seized control early, silencing the home crowd with sharp shooting from beyond the arc. Guard Jayden Cooper connected on a pair of deep three-pointers within the first three minutes, staking the Jaguars to a quick 6-2 lead. While Keyshawn Hall kept Auburn afloat with his own hot hand—draining three triples in the first half—South Alabama consistently answered to maintain its advantage.
Harris orchestrated the Jaguars' offense effectively, scoring or assisting on key baskets that stifled any Auburn momentum. South Alabama shot an efficient 45% from the field and took a well-earned 36-30 lead into the locker room.
The intermission proved to be exactly what Auburn needed. The Tigers emerged with renewed defensive intensity and offensive purpose. After a quick free throw, guard Tahaad Pettiford ignited the comeback, sinking a 25-foot three-pointer at the 18:16 mark to tie the game at 36-36. From there, the floodgates opened. Kaden Magwood and Kevin Overton took over, combining for a flurry of threes that turned a deficit into a commanding lead. Overton was particularly lethal, hitting four three-pointers in a six-minute span that pushed Auburn’s lead to 64-53 with just 5:29 remaining.
Despite Harris’s continued heroics for South Alabama, Auburn’s overwhelming offensive firepower and a decisive 42-31 advantage on the glass proved too much to overcome.
Turning Point
The entire complexion of the game shifted in the opening minutes of the second half. Trailing 36-30, Auburn began the period on a mission. A free throw from Elyjah Freeman cut the lead to five before Tahaad Pettiford’s game-tying three-pointer at 18:16 sent a jolt through Neville Arena. Just over two minutes later, at the 15:54 mark, Kaden Magwood drilled a 26-foot jumper to give Auburn its first lead since midway through the first half. That sequence erased South Alabama's halftime momentum and established an offensive rhythm that the Tigers would ride for the remainder of the contest.
Stars of the Game
Keyshawn Hall & Kevin Overton, Auburn: The duo was a two-headed monster for the Tigers, each scoring 21 points. Hall was the primary offensive weapon in the first half, keeping Auburn within striking distance. Overton took the baton in the second, torching the nets from deep to secure the victory. Overton added seven rebounds and four assists, while Hall pulled down six boards.
Chaze Harris, South Alabama: In a brilliant losing effort, Harris was the best player on the floor. The guard was nearly unstoppable, posting a game-high 29 points while adding eight rebounds and six assists. He was responsible for a significant portion of the Jaguars' offense but couldn't carry the team to victory alone.
What It Means
For the Auburn Tigers, this non-conference win serves as a valuable lesson in resilience. After a lethargic first half, the team demonstrated its ability to make crucial adjustments and showcased its potent offensive depth, with four players scoring in double figures. The 48-point second-half explosion is a testament to the team's scoring potential and ability to take over a game quickly.
For the South Alabama Jaguars, it’s a frustrating result after controlling the first 20 minutes of play. The game exposed a lack of scoring depth beyond their top performers and an inability to withstand a sustained run from an SEC-caliber opponent on the road. Still, the performance from Chaze Harris and the team's first-half execution prove they can compete at a high level, even if they couldn't sustain it for a full 40 minutes.