AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) — Auburn Women’s Basketball hosted a big time rivalry matchup inside Neville Arena on Saturday, welcoming in the No. 21 Alabama Crimson Tide. Despite entering the game with just one win in SEC play, the Tigers were undeterred. Head coach Larry Vickers and the Lady Tigers pulled off the upset bid 58-54. The win marked Auburn’s first Top-25 victory since 2024 in Vickers’ first Iron Bowl as head coach.
Auburn led at the end of every quarter, though it was never by much. The first quarter set the tone for the game, a low-scoring battle at both ends where every point had to be earned by each side. Sophomore Khady Leye led the way early for Auburn, scoring six of the Tigers’ 11 points in the first quarter.
Alabama managed its only lead of the night in the fourth quarter, but Auburn responded in composed fashion, making 10 consecutive high-pressure free throws to seal the win. The Tigers’ defense was relentless, forcing 18 turnovers while bringing down 22 rebounds, recording four blocks, and coming away with nine steals. Turnovers have been a struggle for Auburn this season, so the swing toward Auburn in that department was especially impressive
Though Auburn’s defensive effort and clutch free-throw shooting in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference, the game still saw some showcase performers on offense. Leye led Auburn with 16 points, her season high against a Power 4 opponent. Leye also brought down 9 rebounds to finish just one board shy of a double-double in a tremendous effort. Redshirt junior Kaitlyn Duhon also chipped in 10 points, complementing Leye in the scoring effort, as well as six rebounds.
The performance was Auburn’s best of the season, and a clear sign of progress as the Tigers progress through what has been a clear building year in the first season under Vickers. The team seemed to play more cohesively and tenaciously, something that stood out postgame to their coach.
“They came out from the jump with a different level of intensity and did a tremendous job of making Alabama work for everything they got,” Vickers said. “This is by far our most complete game.”
The Tigers improve to 13-6 overall and 2-3 in SEC play with the win, while Alabama falls to 17-2 and 3-2 in the conference. The victory provides valuable momentum for the Lady Tigers as they continue the first season under new leadership. Auburn will hit the road late next week, traveling up I-65 to Nashville to face another SEC foe and ranked opponent in undefeated No. 5 Vanderbilt.
