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Auburn Rallies to Defeat South Alabama in NIT Opener
Tigers overcome halftime deficit to advance to second round
Mar. 18, 2026 at 3:56am
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The Auburn Tigers overcame a halftime deficit to defeat the South Alabama Jaguars 78-67 in the first round of the NIT basketball tournament. Auburn trailed 36-30 at the break but rallied in the second half, led by strong performances from Kaden Magwood and Kevin Overton, to secure the victory and advance to the next round.
Why it matters
This win keeps Auburn’s season alive as they look to make a run in the NIT tournament. The Tigers struggled in the first half but showed resilience to come back and defeat a tough South Alabama team on their home court.
The details
South Alabama led 36-30 at halftime after shooting 50% from the floor in the first half. Chaze Harris led the Jaguars with 18 points. Auburn’s Keyshawn Hall had 16 first-half points to keep the Tigers close. In the second half, Kaden Magwood scored 11 straight points to give Auburn a six-point lead, and Kevin Overton added 21 second-half points to help seal the victory. Auburn shot 56.5% from the floor in the second half and knocked down 12 3-pointers.
- The game was played on Tuesday, March 18, 2026 inside Neville Arena.
The players
Kaden Magwood
An Auburn freshman guard who scored 11 straight points in the second half to help the Tigers rally for the win.
Kevin Overton
An Auburn guard who scored 21 points in the second half to lead the Tigers’ comeback effort.
Chaze Harris
A South Alabama player who led all scorers with 29 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists in the losing effort.
What they’re saying
“Kaden’s scoring run gave us the momentum we needed to close out the game. He really stepped up when we needed him most.”
— Steven Pearl, Auburn Head Coach
What’s next
Auburn will host Seattle in the second round of the NIT after the Redhawks defeated St. Thomas (Minn.) in their opening round game.
The takeaway
This comeback victory showcases Auburn’s resilience and ability to rally from a halftime deficit. The Tigers’ strong second-half performance, led by key contributions from young players like Magwood, demonstrates the team’s depth and potential for a deep NIT run.
