Leading the second ranked team in the nation by two, the Auburn men's basketball team committed a variety of mistakes in the final minute to allow the Florida Gators to pull out an improbable 71-66 home victory.
The Tigers (12-12, 4-9 SEC) led 65-63 and had possession with 58 seconds remaining, but a Tahj Shamsid-Deen layup went begging and Michael Frazier II answered on the other end with his third three of the game to give the Gators (24-2, 13-0 SEC) a 66-65 lead.
After Chris Denson was fouled, the SEC's leading scorer was only able to hit the first of his two free throws, and Asauhn Dixon-Tatum inexplicably fouled Patric Young, sending Young to the line for the Gators.
After Young hit both free throws with 20 seconds left, Auburn threw away its ensuing inbounds pass allowing the Gators to escape with the victory.
Shamsid-Deen led all Auburn scorers and tied a career high with 17 points, including five three-pointers.
Auburn trailed 18-13 with just under ten minutes to play in the first half, but the Tigers went on a 12-0 run over a four minute period to gain a 25-18 lead.
Shamsid-Deen's fourth three-pointer of the first half gave Auburn a 38-30 lead going into halftime.
The Tigers didn't trail again until the nine minute mark of the second half, when a 7-0 run propelled the Gators to a 54-51 lead.
The teams traded baskets into the final two minutes of the game before Denson hit two free throws to give Auburn its final lead of the game with 2:06 left.
Young led the Gators with 17 points and seven rebounds while senior forward Casey Prather nearly recorded a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Auburn leading scorer Denson had 15 points and five assists while junior guard KT Harrell added 14 points, six rebounds and four assists in the loss.
A win would've given Auburn its first victory over a top two ranked team since 1988, when the Tigers knocked off No. 1 Kentucky 53-52.
The Tigers return to action on Feb. 22 when they'll take on the Vanderbilt Commodores (14-11, 6-7 SEC) in the Auburn Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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