Michael Allen 
Nate Ament goes up for 2 of his 22 points in Tennessee's 77-69 win over Auburn in the Food City Center Saturday night
SEO Meta Description: Tennessee never trailed in a 77-69 win over Auburn, using balanced scoring, rebounding dominance, and clutch free throws to earn its third straight victory.
Tennessee continued to build momentum Saturday night with a hard-fought 77-69 win over Auburn, earning its third consecutive victory and doing so in convincing fashion despite a late push from the Tigers. The Vols never trailed in the contest, setting the tone early and responding every time Auburn threatened to swing the momentum.
The matchup carried added intrigue as it marked the first time Auburn head coach Steven Pearl faced Tennessee as a head coach. Pearl, a former player for Tennessee under his father Bruce, was greeted by a hostile environment inside Food City Center, and Tennessee made sure to spoil the homecoming narrative from the opening tip.
The Vols wasted little time asserting control. Tennessee opened the game on a 5-0 run, fueled by physical play in the paint and aggressive rebounding. That quick start forced Pearl to call his first timeout just 1:51 into the game, an early indication of the energy and focus Tennessee brought to the floor. The Vols also set the tone on the glass immediately, grabbing the first four rebounds of the game and establishing a physical edge that would last all night.
Tennessee steadily extended its lead throughout the first half, using a balanced offensive approach and strong defensive positioning to frustrate Auburn. The Vols’ defense limited clean looks for the Tigers, while Tennessee capitalized on second-chance opportunities created by offensive rebounds. That formula helped Tennessee build its largest lead of the half at 37-21 with 5:22 remaining before the break.
Offensively, Tennessee received contributions from all over the lineup in the opening 20 minutes. Nate Ament and Jaylen Carey led the charge, scoring 11 points apiece in the first half. The Vols also knocked down shots from the perimeter, shooting 50 percent from three-point range, a key factor in stretching Auburn’s defense and opening up the interior.
Tennessee’s dominance on the boards was especially noticeable in the first half. The Vols outrebounded Auburn 25-14 before halftime, consistently winning loose balls and limiting Auburn to one-and-done possessions. That rebounding edge, combined with efficient shooting, allowed Tennessee to head into the locker room with a 41-31 advantage.
Auburn emerged from halftime with renewed urgency and began to chip away at the deficit. The second half was marked by frequent fouls and stoppages, disrupting the rhythm for both teams. Despite the uneven flow, Auburn gradually found ways to close the gap, leaning on Keyshawn Hall’s scoring ability and increased aggression attacking the basket.
The Tigers’ persistence paid off midway through the second half when they cut Tennessee’s lead to just three points at 59-56 with 7:08 remaining. The moment represented Auburn’s best chance to flip the game, and the pressure shifted squarely onto the Vols.
Rather than folding, Tennessee responded with composure and toughness. Over the final seven minutes, the Vols tightened up defensively, rebounded at a high level, and executed offensively when it mattered most. Tennessee extended the lead back to double digits, pushing it out to 11 with roughly four and a half minutes to play.
Free throws proved to be a decisive factor down the stretch. Tennessee, a team that has struggled at the charity stripe for much of the season, delivered one of its best performances of the year, calmly converting opportunities to keep Auburn at arm’s length. The Vols finished the night shooting 25-of-31 from the free throw line, good for 81 percent, a massive improvement and a key reason the Tigers were unable to mount a final comeback.
Nate Ament continued his impressive run of play, leading all scorers with 22 points while also pulling down eight rebounds. Ament scored in a balanced manner, putting up 11 points in each half, and was relentless attacking the rim, which resulted in 15 trips to the free throw line. His 12 made free throws were crucial in closing out the game.
Jaylen Carey added 13 points, providing steady production in the frontcourt, while Ja’Kobe Gillespie chipped in 11 points and DeWayne Brown contributed 10. The four double-figure scorers highlighted Tennessee’s depth and balance, a theme that has defined the Vols during their current winning streak.
Auburn was led by Keyshawn Hall, who finished with 21 points and carried much of the offensive load for the Tigers. Tahad Pettiford added 11 points and was the only other Auburn player to reach double figures, as Tennessee’s defense limited consistent scoring options for the visitors.
Beyond the final score, Tennessee’s dominance on the glass stood out as one of the defining elements of the game. The Vols outrebounded Auburn 46-30 overall, continuing a trend of physical, inside-oriented play that has fueled recent success. That rebounding advantage translated into extra possessions and allowed Tennessee to control the pace for much of the night.
With the win, Tennessee continues to trend upward as the season progresses, showing growth in key areas such as free throw shooting, late-game execution, and composure under pressure. The Vols will look to carry that momentum forward as they return to action Tuesday night, welcoming the Ole Miss Rebels to Food City Center for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off.
About The Author
