TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Interstat) — Alabama defeated rival Auburn 96-84 in a Southeastern Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Coleman Coliseum. The Crimson Tide used a strong first half, taking a 50-31 lead into halftime. The Tigers rallied with 53 second-half points but could not overcome the deficit. Attendance was 13,474. Alabama improved to 23-8. Auburn fell to 16-15. Alabama was an 8.5-point pregame favorite, and the total score went under the betting line of 176.5.