BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Jared Harper scored a career-high 31 points to lead No. 8 Auburn to a 75-71 overtime victory vs. UAB in the inaugural Mike Slive Invitational Saturday night at Legacy Arena.
"Great environment," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "That was the largest crowd to watch a basketball game in Birmingham since 1992. I want to thank both fan bases for making it a great environment for these teams. Obviously it brought the best out of UAB. They play us that way every time they play us, but we have Jared Harper and they don't. It's a great compliment to Jared. He was able to take the game over."
Harper scored 21 of the team's final 25 points, including 10 of the 12 points scored in overtime to lead the Tigers (9-1) to victory. He even had a hand in another bucket during that stretch as he assisted a Chuma Okeke dunk.
In total, the Mableton, Ga. native went 15-of-16 from the charity stripe, including 6-of-6 in overtime.
"I prepare a lot for exact moments like that," Harper said. "To have the trust of my coaches and teammates means a lot."
Okeke joined Harper in double figures with 11 points and added six rebounds. In his first game back in his hometown, Austin Wiley chimed in six points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
Danjel Purifoy saw his first action in over 21 months and contributed two points with one rebound and a steal in seven minutes on the court.
Following a back-and-forth affair in the first half, Auburn took a 28-27 lead into the locker room. The Tigers were limited to just 35 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes.
UAB (6-4) came out of the intermission on fire, regaining the lead and stretching it to as much as seven at 45-38 with just under 12 minutes to play.
After a layup from Wiley, a pair of free throws from Bryce Brown and a 3-pointer from Malik Dunbar, the Tigers brought it back within two before tying it up at 47-47 following a fastbreak lay-in by Harper.
Auburn had a 6-point lead at 60-54 with 1:15 left in regulation, but a pair of 3s sandwiched around a couple of free throws by Harper brought it back to a one-possession game.
Harper made 1-of-2 from the foul line with 35 seconds remaining to make it 63-60. However, UAB continued its hot shooting from behind the arc and tied the game at 63-63 with 10 seconds left.
A last-second shot from the junior point guard rimmed out and forced the two teams to five more minutes of play.
In overtime, the Harper show continued as he gave the Tigers a 4-point lead following a jumper and two free throws at 67-63.
UAB got within one at 67-66, but an Anfernee McLemore dunk and another layup from Harper brought the cushion back out to five.
The Blazers poured in another make from downtown, but Harper knocked down four straight free throws to ice the game and send Auburn home with a 75-71 victory.
UAB was led by Jalen Perry's 18 points. Zack Bryant contributed a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tigers stay on the road for their next game, a showdown at NC State Wednesday night at 6 p.m. CT.
Harper drops 31 points in overtime win vs. UAB
