FINAL AUBURN 82, @ALABAMA 77

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/aldotcomSports/status/827697279821832192

Even after being blitzed by Arkansas in an 87-68 defeat on Wednesday, Alabama has surrendered 64.3 points per game this season -- the second-lowest average in the Southeastern Conference. Johnson declared that the loss to the Razorbacks was the result of "one of our worst performances," and in turn, aberrational.

But on the way to the falling to the Hogs, a common problem that has afflicted the Tide throughout this season resurfaced: Perimeter defense.

Arkansas converted 11 of the 23 three-point shots it attempted. The 47.8 conversion percentage was robust and it should worry Alabama as it prepares for its game at Coleman Coliseum on Saturday against Auburn, one of only two teams in the SEC that has launched more than 500 shots from beyond the arc this season. 

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/matthewcstevens/status/828095748797513728

[jbcarol]

Matthew Stevens ‏@matthewcstevens 33m33 minutes ago

Avery Johnson: "When you outrebound a team by 20, you should win that ball game."

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/aldotcomSports/status/828174439510573057

Sharp-shooting Auburn knocked off Alabama 82-77 Saturday in Tuscaloosa as the Tigers swept the Crimson Tide in the regular season for the first time since 2008-09.

Alabama's 3-point defense ranked 250th in the nation prior to Saturday, and Auburn took full advantage. The Tigers hit 15 shots from beyond the arc, including seven straight in the second half, to move to 15-8 overall and 4-6 in SEC play. The Tigers previously defeated Alabama 84-64 on the Plains Jan. 21.

"There are some places where you win and they don't count any different in the win/loss column, but they just matter more," Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. "We knew we had to beat a good team, we knew we had to beat a team that was much bigger than us that will pound you on the glass, and they did... But I thought our kids made big shots. We knew we had to knock down the 3-ball."

Auburn's 15 3-pointers are the second-most from the team this season and most in conference play.