Tiger men easily defeat the gamecocks, while South Carolina women upset Auburn.

January 12, 2025, was an eventful day for Auburn basketball fans, as both the men’s and women’s teams squared off against South Carolina in an SEC basketball doubleheader. However, while the Auburn men’s team cruised to an easy victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks, the Auburn women’s team suffered a shocking upset at the hands of the South Carolina women. The contrasting outcomes left fans with a mixture of emotions, but both games were pivotal in terms of SEC standings and postseason aspirations.

Let’s take a deep dive into the action of both games, analyzing the key moments, standout performances, and what these results mean for the future of Auburn basketball on both the men’s and women’s sides.

Auburn Men’s Basketball vs. South Carolina: A Dominant Performance

For the Auburn Tigers men’s basketball team, the game against South Carolina was a statement win. Coming off some tough battles in the SEC, the Tigers knew they had to take care of business against a South Carolina team that had struggled throughout the season. The Gamecocks entered the game with a losing record in SEC play, and Auburn, despite the absence of star player Johni Broome, was expected to take control early and dominate.

From the opening tip, Auburn’s men showed why they are one of the top teams in the SEC, putting on a clinical performance that left little doubt about who the superior team was. With the game played in Auburn Arena, the Tigers capitalized on their home-court advantage, using a fast-paced offense and smothering defense to stifle South Carolina.

First Half: Fast Start and Defensive Intensity

Auburn wasted no time establishing control, jumping out to an early lead. The Tigers’ defensive pressure was suffocating from the start, forcing South Carolina into difficult shots and turnovers. Wendell Green Jr. and Allen Flanigan were the catalysts on both ends of the floor, creating fast-break opportunities and hitting key shots. Green was particularly impressive early, scoring efficiently and dishing out assists to open teammates. His ball-handling and decision-making allowed Auburn to dictate the tempo of the game, and South Carolina struggled to keep up.

Despite missing Johni Broome in the post, Auburn’s frontcourt players, including Jaylin Williams, stepped up defensively. Williams, in particular, was a force in the paint, blocking shots and grabbing crucial rebounds. South Carolina, led by their star player, G.G. Jackson, found themselves overwhelmed by Auburn’s size and athleticism. The Gamecocks’ offense struggled to find a rhythm, and they were forced into contested shots or turnovers on almost every possession.

Auburn’s offense was efficient as well. They moved the ball well, finding open shots both inside and on the perimeter. Green connected on a couple of three-pointers, and Flanigan continued to be a versatile scoring option, hitting both mid-range shots and finishing strong at the rim. The Tigers built a commanding lead by halftime, going into the break with a 48-27 advantage.

Second Half: Closing the Door

The second half saw more of the same from Auburn. South Carolina, facing a sizable deficit, came out with more energy and attempted to claw their way back into the game. However, Auburn’s defensive schemes shut down any hopes of a comeback. The Tigers’ transition offense was particularly effective, with Green and Flanigan pushing the pace and finding open teammates in transition.

South Carolina tried to go inside to G.G. Jackson, but Auburn’s interior defense continued to stymie the Gamecocks. Williams and Cardwell, filling in for Broome in the post, did an excellent job of keeping Jackson from getting easy looks. Auburn’s aggressive perimeter defense also prevented South Carolina from hitting consistent outside shots.

As the game wore on, Auburn’s lead continued to grow. With under 10 minutes remaining, the Tigers were comfortably ahead, and Coach Bruce Pearl was able to empty the bench and give his reserves valuable playing time. The final buzzer sounded with Auburn securing an easy 82-55 victory.

Key Performances

• Wendell Green Jr.: Green was the standout player for Auburn, finishing with 20 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds. His leadership on the court was evident, as he orchestrated Auburn’s offense and created scoring opportunities for his teammates.
• Allen Flanigan: Flanigan had another strong performance, adding 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. His versatility and ability to score both inside and outside were key factors in Auburn’s success.
• Jaylin Williams: Williams was a key contributor on defense, finishing with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. He played an important role in limiting South Carolina’s offensive efficiency.
• G.G. Jackson (South Carolina): Jackson finished with 16 points, but his efforts were not enough to lift South Carolina. He struggled to find open looks, thanks to Auburn’s defense, and his team was unable to sustain any momentum.

Auburn Women’s Basketball vs. South Carolina: A Shocking Upset

While the Auburn men’s basketball team dominated their matchup against South Carolina, the Auburn women’s basketball team faced a completely different challenge. The Tigers entered their contest against South Carolina as one of the top teams in the SEC, boasting a strong record and high hopes for a deep postseason run. However, on this day, the South Carolina women, led by their star player, Aliyah Boston, pulled off a surprising upset in a thrilling and hard-fought contest.

First Half: South Carolina Takes Control

From the start of the game, it was clear that South Carolina had come to play. The Gamecocks, known for their stifling defense and efficient offense, were locked in from the opening tip. Auburn, who had been on a hot streak to start the season, struggled to get things going offensively. The Tigers found themselves playing catch-up early as South Carolina’s defense smothered their shooters and disrupted their offensive flow.

Auburn’s shooting woes were evident in the first half, as they missed several open looks and struggled to get easy baskets in transition. Meanwhile, South Carolina was efficient on offense, using their size and strength inside to dominate the paint. Aliyah Boston was a force, scoring efficiently in the post and grabbing rebounds at a high rate. South Carolina’s aggressive defense made it difficult for Auburn to establish any rhythm, and the Tigers found themselves trailing 39-28 at halftime.

Second Half: Auburn’s Struggle to Keep Pace

Coming out of halftime, Auburn showed signs of life, but South Carolina’s defense continued to stifle any momentum the Tigers tried to build. Auburn was unable to get consistent contributions from their key players, and their shots from the perimeter continued to miss the mark. South Carolina’s defense was relentless, forcing Auburn to settle for contested shots and creating turnovers.

Aliyah Boston continued to be a problem for Auburn. The senior forward was dominant on both ends of the floor, finishing with a double-double of 22 points and 15 rebounds. Her presence in the paint not only helped South Carolina score but also limited Auburn’s second-chance opportunities.

Despite Auburn’s best efforts, they couldn’t overcome South Carolina’s defensive pressure. The Gamecocks extended their lead to 15 points midway through the second half, and Auburn was unable to mount a serious challenge. The Tigers’ offense continued to struggle, and South Carolina was able to play smart, clock-draining basketball in the final minutes to secure the 71-58 victory.

Key Performances

• Aliyah Boston (South Carolina): Boston was the star of the game, finishing with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Her dominance in the paint and on the glass was a key factor in South Carolina’s victory.
• Jasmine Carson (Auburn): Carson was the top performer for Auburn, finishing with 14 points, but she struggled to get any help from her teammates. Auburn’s offense looked stagnant for much of the game, and Carson’s efforts weren’t enough to lift the Tigers.
• Zae’Marie Jackson (Auburn): Jackson struggled throughout the game, contributing just 6 points, and her inability to get into a rhythm hurt Auburn’s chances.
• Brea Beal (South Carolina): Beal played a strong all-around game for South Carolina, contributing 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, while also playing excellent defense against Auburn’s perimeter players.

What the Results Mean for Both Teams

Auburn Men’s Basketball

For the Auburn men’s team, the win over South Carolina was a crucial one. The Tigers showed their depth and resilience, dominating from start to finish without star forward Johni Broome. Wendell Green Jr. and Allen Flanigan were excellent, and Auburn’s defense was the difference-maker. This victory helps Auburn maintain its position at the top of the SEC standings and reinforces their status as a national contender.

Auburn Women’s Basketball

For the Auburn women, the loss to South Carolina was a tough blow. Despite a strong season so far, the Tigers struggled offensively and were unable to stop the Gamecocks’ powerful inside game. Aliyah Boston’s performance exposed some of Auburn’s weaknesses, particularly in defending dominant post players. However, Auburn will need to regroup quickly, as this loss could have serious implications for their seeding in the SEC Tournament and their NCAA Tournament hopes.