AUBURN, Ala. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a relentless offensive showcase and a dramatic final-minute collapse, the Auburn Tigers survived a furious second-half rally from the Seattle Redhawks to secure a 91-85 victory in a nonconference men’s basketball game Sunday at Auburn Arena.

A crowd of 3,672 watched as Auburn, leveraging a dominant first-half performance and a significant size advantage, built a seemingly comfortable lead, only to see it nearly evaporate under a torrent of second-half three-pointers from Seattle guard Brayden Maldonado. The Tigers ultimately sealed the win at the free-throw line in the game’s chaotic final seconds.

The contest unfolded in starkly different halves. Auburn established control early behind efficient interior play and transition opportunities. The Tigers shot a high percentage from the floor in the opening period, taking a 42-31 lead into halftime. Seattle struggled to find an offensive rhythm, hampered by Auburn’s length, which produced several blocked shots and altered attempts near the rim.

The second half, however, transformed into a track meet. Seattle emerged from the locker room with increased defensive energy and a red-hot Maldonado. The junior guard from Anchorage, Alaska, ignited the Redhawks’ comeback, scoring 25 of his game-high 25 points after intermission. His shooting barrage from beyond the arc brought Seattle back from a double-digit deficit and repeatedly silenced the Auburn crowd.

With just over three minutes remaining, the Redhawks had clawed to within a single possession. The most critical sequence of the game occurred in the final minute. Trailing 86-84 with 28 seconds left, Seattle’s John Christofilis connected on a clutch jump shot to tie the game, sending a jolt through the visiting contingent.

Auburn’s response was immediate. On the ensuing inbound play, Seattle’s Maleek Arington was called for a foul on Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford, sending him to the line for a one-and-one opportunity. Pettiford calmly sank both free throws to restore Auburn’s two-point lead with 15 seconds on the clock.

Seattle’s ensuing possession resulted in a rushed, off-balance three-point attempt from Maldonado that missed. Auburn’ Kevin Overton secured the defensive rebound and was fouled. Overton, who finished with 23 points, made both free throws to extend the lead to 90-86 with 6.6 seconds remaining, effectively sealing the outcome. Pettiford added one more free throw in the closing second to provide the final margin.

While Maldonado’s scoring outburst defined Seattle’s resilience, Auburn’s victory was a product of balanced scoring and key contributions from its frontcourt. Elyjah Freeman, a 6-foot-8 forward from Palm Beach, Florida, provided a critical two-way presence with 19 points and two blocks, often serving as a deterrent at the rim. Sebastian Williams-Adams came off the bench to add 15 efficient points in just 18 minutes, exploiting mismatches in the post. Filip Jovic also chipped in 12 points and was a factor on the glass.

For Seattle, beyond Maldonado’s heroics, Jun Seok Yeo of Seoul, South Korea, scored 13 points, while Christofilis and Will Heimbrodt each added 12. Heimbrodt also contributed four blocks defensively. The Redhawks’ second-half surge, where they outscored Auburn 54-49, showcased their offensive potential but ultimately fell short due to their first-half struggles and Auburn’s clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch.

The win improved Auburn’s overall record to 19-16, while Seattle fell to 21-14. The game’s total points, 176, sailed over the pregame over/under line of 146.5, highlighting the offensive explosion, particularly in the second half. Despite being a heavy pregame favorite according to statistical projections, Auburn was pushed to the limit by a Seattle team that refused to yield, making the final minute a tense battle of execution that the Tigers narrowly won.