Auburn
AUBURN, Ala. (03/21/2026) — The Auburn Tigers secured a hard-fought 91-85 victory over the Seattle U Redhawks on Saturday in a high-octane offensive showcase at Neville Arena. Guard Kevin Overton paced Auburn with 23 points, and a commanding performance on the boards proved to be the difference-maker as the Tigers weathered a blistering three-point shooting display from the Redhawks.
Four different Tigers scored in double figures, with Elyjah Freeman adding 19 points and 7 rebounds. Despite a game-high 25 points from Seattle U guard Brayden Maldonado, Auburn leveraged a significant 41-23 rebounding advantage to control the contest and hold off a persistent second-half charge.
How It Happened
The game began as a track meet, with both teams trading baskets from beyond the arc. A three-pointer from Seattle U's Junseok Yeo at the 16:31 mark gave the visitors an early 6-5 lead, but Auburn's Kevin Overton answered with his own 26-foot jumper just 26 seconds later to reclaim the advantage. The lead changed hands twice and was tied five times in the opening minutes.
Auburn began to create separation midway through the first half. A dunk by Sebastian Williams-Adams with 12:11 on the clock put the Tigers up 17-15, and a three-pointer from Keyshawn Hall at 10:16 pushed the lead to 24-20, sparking a decisive run. The Tigers built a double-digit advantage, capped by a Filip Jovic tip-in dunk with two minutes remaining that made it 40-27. Auburn entered halftime with a 42-31 lead.
The second half was defined by a long-range duel. Freeman and Overton connected on threes for Auburn, but Maldonado was relentless for Seattle U, hitting a series of deep three-pointers to keep the Redhawks within striking distance. Every time Seattle U threatened to close the gap, however, Auburn had an answer. An alley-oop dunk by Freeman at the 15:04 mark and another three from Overton with 13:42 to play kept the lead at a comfortable 16 points, 61-45, effectively sealing the outcome.
Turning Point
The game's pivotal moment occurred in the first half. After a John Christofilis three-pointer brought Seattle U to within one point at 21-20 with 10:33 remaining, the Tigers seized control. An 11-0 run, sparked by Hall's three-pointer, transformed the tight contest into a 32-20 Auburn lead. This burst created the separation that the Tigers would maintain for the rest of the game, forcing the Redhawks into a chase they could never complete.
Star of the Game
Kevin Overton was the offensive catalyst for the Auburn Tigers. He finished with a team-high 23 points, consistently delivering critical baskets to halt any Seattle U momentum. His sharpshooting was particularly vital in the second half, where he knocked down several deep threes to answer the Redhawks' rally attempts. Elyjah Freeman also had a standout performance, posting an efficient 19 points and leading the team with 7 rebounds, providing a crucial interior presence to complement the perimeter scoring.
What It Means
For the Auburn Tigers, the victory is a solid non-conference win that showcased their offensive depth and rebounding prowess. While their perimeter defense was tested by Seattle U's hot shooting (52% 3PT), Auburn's ability to dominate the glass and get scoring from multiple positions proved to be a winning formula. The performance from Overton and Freeman highlights a balanced attack that will be essential for the Tigers moving forward.
The Seattle U Redhawks leave Neville Arena with a tough loss but can build on a spectacular offensive effort against an SEC opponent on the road. Brayden Maldonado's 25-point outburst demonstrated his scoring ability, and the team's overall shooting performance will give future opponents pause. The significant disadvantage on the boards, however, was ultimately too much to overcome and remains a key area for improvement.