Tennessee stuns Alabama on buzzer beater from Jahmai Mashack

Tennessee and Alabama met in one of the best SEC games of the season on Saturday. And with 30 seconds remaining, it looked like the Crimson Tide were in position to grab the win.

Clinging to a 3-point lead, Alabama sent Labaron Philon to the free-throw for 2 shots with 36 seconds remaining. He missed the first but was able to convert the 2nd for a 76-72 lead over Tennessee.

While it was a great spot for the Crimson Tide, the lead evaporated on a 4-point trip down the floor for the Vols. It began with Chaz Lanier delivering a tough and-1 layup at the rim to cut the deficit to 76-74.

Lanier would miss his free throw, but it worked out great for Tennessee. Jarin Stevenson was called for over-the-back on the rebound attempt, sending Jahmai Mashack to the free-throw line for 2 shots.

He tied the game at 76-all, but the drama was just getting started.

Alabama had the ball and a chance to win the game, but a jump ball was called with 3.8 seconds remaining. The Tide maintained possession of the ball but had to run an out-of-bounds play, and the Vols were able to force a 5-second call.

That turnover by Alabama led to the magical moment with Mashack getting the inbounds pass and just barely getting across halfcourt before he had to get up a heave. Fortunately for Tennessee, that heave was pure for the win:

Mashack ended the game scoring the final 5 points for Tennessee while the Vols scored 7 straight in the final 30 seconds for the stunning win.

With Alabama’s loss, Auburn is guaranteed the outright SEC title this season, the first for the Tigers since 2022. Auburn will also hold the No. 1 seed throughout the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville where the Vols currently slot in as the 4-seed with a double bye. Be sure to use the Tennessee betting apps to track all things Vols throughout the postseason.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.