NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Zakai Zeigler led the way for the No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers, scoring 20 points in their intense matchup against the third-ranked Auburn Tigers. Tennessee triumphed with a final score of 70-65, earning their spot in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament championship for the first time since 2022.
The Volunteers, who entered the tournament as the fourth seed and now boast a record of 27-6, avenged their earlier loss to Auburn from January 25 and their defeat in the 2019 tournament finals. Tennessee is now set to compete against either the fourth-ranked Florida Gators or the No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide for the championship title on Sunday. The winner is likely to secure a coveted No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, highlighting the competitive nature of college basketball in the SEC.
Alongside Zeigler, Jordan Gainey contributed 15 points, while Chaz Lanier added 12 to the Volunteers’ offense. Auburn, despite their strong season with a record of 28-5, has struggled recently, losing three of their last four games. SEC Player of the Year Johni Broome led the Tigers with 23 points, and teammates Miles Kelly and Denver Jones chipped in with 13 and 10 points respectively.
The first half ended with Auburn narrowly leading 33-32, fueled by a late surge. However, Tennessee took control of the game with a decisive 13-1 run in the second half, establishing a 60-49 lead that they maintained until the final buzzer.
Key to their victory, the Volunteers excelled at the free-throw line, sinking 25 of 27 attempts, including an impressive 18 of 20 in the second half. Jahmai Mashack capped off the win with two free throws in the closing seconds.
As for what’s next, Auburn will need to refocus after losing their chance at a fourth tournament title under Coach Bruce Pearl. With Tennessee’s recent successes in the tournament, they are now looking forward to challenging for the championship and solidifying their spot in NCAA postseason play.
This victory marks another step forward for a program known for its resilience, now looking to capture the SEC title in a matchup that holds great significance for both teams.
