In a heart-stopping, back-and-forth thriller, the eighth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers knocked off the third-ranked Auburn Tigers, 70-65, in the SEC Tournament semifinals Saturday afternoon at Bridgestone Arena. This monumental victory propels the Vols into the championship game for the 14th time in program history.
Senior guard Zakai Zeigler spearheaded the Tennessee attack, pouring in a team-high 20 points while converting all nine of his free-throw attempts. His clutch performance, coupled with crucial contributions from senior guard Jordan Gainey (15 points) and fifth-year guard Chaz Lanier (12 points), enabled the Volunteers to overcome a formidable Auburn squad.
The Tigers, led by SEC Player of the Year Johni Broome’s 23 points and seven rebounds, pushed Tennessee to the limit. However, the Vols’ unwavering resilience, stout defense, and impressive free-throw shooting (25-of-27) ultimately proved too much for Auburn to overcome.
This signature win for Rick Barnes’ squad not only solidifies their status as a national powerhouse but also sets the stage for a thrilling SEC Championship showdown against the Florida Gators. With their sights firmly set on conference glory, the Volunteers are poised to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
The Tennessee Volunteers have booked their ticket to the SEC Championship game, courtesy of a heart-stopping 70-65 victory over third-ranked Auburn. Can they ride this momentum all the way to conference glory?
