Alabama tops Auburn in men's hoops, splits season series

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama used a 12-1 run late in the second half to break open a sloppy offensive game in a 73-61 win against Auburn at Coleman Coliseum on Saturday.

The Crimson Tide (16-14, 6-10 SEC) got 16 points from Tony Mitchell and 13 from both Chris Hines and Mikhail Torrance to split the season series with its state rival.

Auburn (15-16, 6-10) narrowly avoided scoring a season low in points, needing a run of points in garbage time to get over 60.

Tay Waller led the Tigers with 22 points and DeWayne Reed added 15. But the duo combined to go 13-for-40 from the floor. Auburn shot only 35 percent as a team.

The teams' seedings for the SEC tournament won't be decided until the conclusion of Saturday's South Carolina-Vanderbilt game.

If South Carolina wins, Alabama would be the four seed and Auburn the five in Nashville next week. If the Gamecocks lose, the Tigers would be the four seed and the Crimson Tide the five.