AUBURN, Ala. (Interstat) — Elyjah Freeman’s tip-in layup with one second remaining lifted Auburn to a 75-74 victory over Kentucky in a Southeastern Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Auburn Arena. The Tigers, who trailed by four at halftime, outscored the Wildcats 40-35 in the second half to secure the win before a crowd of 9,121. Auburn improved to 15-12 overall, while Kentucky fell to 17-10. Kentucky’s Otega Oweh led all scorers with 29 points. Auburn was paced by KeShawn Murphy’s 25 points. The Wildcats had a chance to win after Denzel Aberdeen’s two free throws tied the game with 18 seconds left, but Freeman’s final basket provided the decisive margin.

AUBURN, Ala. (Interstat) — In a game defined by grinding defense, missed opportunities, and a frantic final sequence, the Auburn Tigers edged the Kentucky Wildcats 75-74 in a Southeastern Conference men’s basketball thriller Saturday night at a packed Auburn Arena. The contest, played before 9,121 fans, was a classic conference battle where neither team led by more than six points and the outcome remained in doubt until the final tenth of a second. The decisive play came after a chaotic series of events in the game’s closing moments. Kentucky, which led 39-35 at halftime, held a 73-71 advantage with 14 seconds remaining after Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford made one of two free throws. On the ensuing inbound play, Kentucky’s Collin Chandler was called for an offensive foul, turning the ball back over to Auburn. Pettiford was fouled again and calmly sank both free throws to tie the game at 73 with 14 seconds left. The Wildcats’ Denzel Aberdeen was then fouled and made both of his free throws with 18 seconds remaining, putting Kentucky back ahead 74-73. Auburn’s final possession appeared to stall when Kevin Overton’s driving layup was blocked by Kentucky’s Mouhamed Dioubate with two seconds left. KeShawn Murphy grabbed the offensive rebound but missed a tip-in. The ball caromed to Elyjah Freeman, who converted a putback layup as the horn sounded, giving Auburn the dramatic one-point victory. The game was a showcase for individual brilliance amid overall offensive struggle. Kentucky’s Otega Oweh delivered a stellar performance, scoring 29 points in 35 minutes to lead all scorers. The 6-foot-4 guard from Newark, New Jersey, was relentless attacking the basket, adding three assists. His backcourt mate, Denzel Aberdeen, provided crucial support with 15 points and three assists in 38 minutes. For Auburn, the interior presence of KeShawn Murphy proved pivotal. The 6-foot-10 forward from Birmingham, Alabama, scored 25 points on efficient shooting, grabbed multiple offensive rebounds, and blocked two shots in just 24 minutes of action. His ability to score in the paint and draw fouls kept the Tigers afloat during stretches where their perimeter shooting faltered. The statistical sheet reflected the tense, defensive-minded affair. Both teams shot under 41% from the field and struggled from beyond the arc, with Kentucky making 6 of 23 and Auburn connecting on just 5 of 19. The difference came at the free-throw line, where Auburn capitalized on its opportunities, making 20 of 24 attempts compared to Kentucky’s 14 of 17. Auburn also forced 13 Kentucky turnovers while committing 11 of their own. Kentucky’s size advantage, led by 7-footer Malachi Moreno, translated to a 16-11 edge in offensive rebounds, but the Wildcats could not consistently convert those second chances into points. Auburn’s defense, which recorded nine steals and five blocks, consistently disrupted Kentucky’s rhythm, particularly in the half-court. The loss drops Kentucky to 17-10 overall, while Auburn improves to 15-12. Both teams remain in the middle of the packed SEC standings as the regular season enters its final weeks. Kentucky will look to rebound quickly, traveling to face South Carolina on Tuesday night. Auburn also hits the road for its next contest, a Tuesday night matchup at Oklahoma.

AUBURN, Ala. (Interstat) — Two Southeastern Conference men’s basketball teams looking to steady their postseason resumes will meet Saturday when the Kentucky Wildcats visit the Auburn Tigers at Auburn Arena. Kentucky (17-9, 7-6 SEC) arrives having dropped two straight, including an 86-78 home loss to Georgia on Tuesday. The Wildcats’ offense has been potent, averaging 84.2 points in their last five games, but defensive consistency has been an issue during the skid. Auburn (14-12, 5-8) has lost four of its last five, most recently falling 91-85 at Mississippi State on Wednesday. The Tigers have shown flashes, including wins over Texas and Florida last month, but closing out tight games has been a struggle in February. The spotlight will be on a pair of high-scoring guards. Kentucky’s Otega Oweh is averaging 22.0 points over his last seven games, including a 28-point effort in the loss to Georgia. His ability to create offense is central to the Wildcats’ attack. For Auburn, Keyshawn Hall has been a bright spot amid the team’s struggles, scoring 29 points in 40 minutes against Mississippi State. He is averaging 23.7 points over his last six contests and will be the primary focus of the Tigers’ offense. Kentucky holds the superior overall record, but has been uneven on the road in SEC play. Auburn will rely on its home-court advantage, where it is 10-4 this season. The Wildcats won the season’s first meeting, 85-80, in Lexington on Jan. 17. Both teams are in need of a quality conference win to bolster their standings before the final stretch of the regular season. Kentucky aims to avoid a three-game losing streak, while Auburn seeks to halt its recent slide and build momentum for a late push. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.