AUBURN, Ga. — In a thrilling matchup, Tahaad Pettiford showcased his talent by sinking 5 of 7 attempts from beyond the arc, finishing with a total of 24 points off the bench. This stellar performance helped No. 1 Auburn secure a narrow victory over No. 23 Georgia, with a final score of 70-68 on Saturday.

With this win, Auburn improved its record to 17-1 and maintained an unbeaten 5-0 standing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). This triumph marked their 10th consecutive victory, succeeding without their star player Johni Broome, who has been sidelined due to an ankle injury since a game against South Carolina on January 11.

Georgia, now standing at 14-4 overall and 2-3 in conference play, faced difficulties at the free-throw line, only converting 9 out of 20 attempts.

Key Highlights:

For Auburn, this win against a ranked opponent was significant as they played without their leading scorer, Broome, who averages 17.9 points per game. On the other hand, Georgia experienced its first home defeat of the season, having previously held an impressive 11-1 record at home, marking the end of a 13-game winning streak at Stegeman Coliseum—the fourth-longest in the program’s history.

Crucial Moment:

As the game drew to a close, Georgia found themselves down 70-67 with just nine seconds remaining in regulation. A turnover by Miles Kelly opened an opportunity for Dakota Leffew, who attempted to level the score with a 3-pointer, but his shot did not find the net. Asa Newell also had a chance to tie the game as the buzzer approached, but his attempt fell short.

Significant Stat:

The Auburn Tigers capitalized on their bench strength, contributing with 32 points in Broome’s absence, showcasing their depth and ability to perform under pressure.

Upcoming Games:

Looking ahead, Auburn will host No. 6 Tennessee on January 25, while Georgia is set to face off against Arkansas this coming Tuesday night.