SOUTH ALABAMA VISITS AUBURN IN NON-CONFERENCE FINALE

AUBURN, Ala. (Interstat) — The Auburn Tigers look to secure a winning season and build postseason momentum when they host the South Alabama Jaguars in a non-conference men’s basketball game Tuesday night.

The Tigers (17-16) enter the regular-season finale needing a victory to finish above .500. They are coming off a 72-62 loss at Tennessee on Thursday. Auburn has shown a pattern of following losses with strong performances, including a 79-61 win over Mississippi State on March 11 after a defeat at Alabama.

South Alabama (21-10) arrives with a more robust record but seeks to rebound from a 94-85 home loss to Georgia Southern on March 6 that snapped a two-game win streak.

A key matchup will feature two dynamic guards. Auburn is led by sophomore Tahaad Pettiford, who is averaging 22.3 points over his last six games. He scored 28 in the loss at Tennessee and has topped 20 points in five of his last eight contests.

South Alabama counters with senior point guard Chaze Harris, who is coming off a 17-point, 10-assist double-double against Georgia Southern. Over his last four games, Harris is averaging 19.3 points and 7.0 assists, including a 28-point, 8-assist effort in an overtime loss to Texas State on Feb. 19.

Auburn has faced a rigorous Southeastern Conference schedule, with its last nine games all against league opponents. This contest offers a final tune-up before potential postseason play.

South Alabama, which has won eight of its last 12, will rely on its backcourt efficiency. In their Feb. 25 win over Louisiana-Monroe, the Jaguars shot 54% from the field and assisted on 22 of 33 made baskets.

The Tigers will need to improve defensively after allowing opponents to score 85 or more points in four of their last six losses. Containing Harris and limiting second-chance opportunities will be critical against a Jaguars team playing for its own postseason seeding.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CDT at Neville Arena.