The Alabama Crimson Tide scored their biggest win of the season, defeating the Auburn Tigers by a score of 79-75 in front of a raucous crowd in Tuscaloosa.

Things didn't start out well, as an issue with the lighting system at Coleman Coliseum delayed the start of the game a bit after Joni Bloom hit a 3-pointer for Auburn.

Things eventually got back on track, and after a tough first few minutes, Alabama was able to get things back on track.

The Tide came out hot in the first half, shooting 8-of-17 from the 3-point line, and sophomore guard Rylan Griffen surprised the Coleman faithful, making 4-of-8 himself.

Rylan Griffen 🔥🔥🔥

📺: @espn#rolltide | #blue collar basketball pic.twitter.com/1CMm2Xl5rh

— Alabama Men's Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) January 25, 2024

After Auburn started the game with a 17-6 lead, Alabama was able to build a 14-point lead by halftime, but the Tigers did nothing and quietly lost the game.

Auburn went on a 9-0 run to start the second half and eventually took a 58-57 lead, but Alabama quickly regained the lead after a huge Mark Sears and-one. was completed.

Sears💪🏼

📺: @espn#rolltide | #blue collar basketball pic.twitter.com/kD0eixW0ok

— Alabama Men's Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) January 25, 2024

Late in the game, Grant Nelson made some big free throws despite struggling for much of the game and made his biggest play in a Crimson Tide uniform, hitting a big putback slam with less than a minute to go. Before they knew it, they had a five-point lead over Alabama. rest:

Grant Nelson!! ️

📺: @espn#rolltide | #blue collar basketball pic.twitter.com/R4ABEHXeuw

— Alabama Men's Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) January 25, 2024

Alabama was able to secure the win from there, and overall, Mark Sears (22 points), Rylan Griffen (17 points), Latrell Lightcell Jr. (14 points).

There's often no better player than the Rammer Jammers who defeated Auburn in a close game, and the Coleman crowd didn't disappoint Wednesday night.

court side

Lamar

jammer pic.twitter.com/iN6z8TVTN1

— Roger Hoover (@Roger_Hoover) January 25, 2024

With the win, Alabama tentatively moves into first place in the SEC, tied with Auburn at 5-1 and Tennessee at 4-1, and will play Vanderbilt in Nashville on Saturday.

Alabama will play LSU again at home on Saturday night at 7:00 PM CST.

Michael Brauner is a senior sports analyst and contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP