Auburn clinches SEC Championship in OT win at Mississippi State

No. 5 Auburn (26-4, 14-3 SEC) defeated Mississippi State 81-68 in overtime Wednesday night to clinch at least a share of the SEC regular season championship. It is the second under head coach Bruce Pearl, who spoke on how much it means to him, his players and the Auburn fanbase after the win.

“It means so much to us, because this league is so good,” Pearl said. “And, you know, there are about seven or eight teams that could have won this thing, and the fact that Auburn put itself in this position is just incredible.”

Freshman sensation Jabari Smith had another stellar night with 27 points and 10 rebounds on 9-13 shooting and was complemented by KD Johnson and Zep Jasper‘s combined 25. Pearl couldn’t say enough about the future NBA lottery pick.

“[Smith] is one of the greatest competitors I’ve ever coached,” Pearl said. “Now, you could look at his jump shot and you can look at all the other things about him, but that is one competitive talent. I mean, he doesn’t want to lose anything and he wants the ball, he’s not afraid of the moment, and I’m gonna just trust him.”

Smith nailed a mid-range jumper to tie the game at 61 in regulation, but missed the potential buzzer-beating 3-point attempt to end regulation — but as they say in March, you survive and advance, overtime or not. Now Smith can say he is an SEC Champion.

Despite clinching the title with this win, they have yet to outright win the league. With Kentucky (13-4 SEC), Arkansas (13-4) and Tennessee (13-4) hot on their heels with one game remaining before tournament time, a win in their season finale against South Carolina Saturday afternoon at home is mandatory, otherwise they might have to share the title with one of the aforementioned three teams.

“I’m so happy for those kids. I’ve got some championships. I’ve got a few rings in a box, alright, but this is the championship for these kids,” Pearl said. “It is a championship for Auburn University, War Eagle.”