Iron brawl

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Good morning everyone! We had a game that didn’t feel at all like an exhibition. Let’s get to it.

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1. Alabama-Auburn gets HEATED

The Iron Bowl? For an exhibition game? Yeah, you read that right, and it was a storied chapter to say the least.

For one, there were two skirmishes, the first just five minutes into the game, and the second after the buzzer. The game also came down to the wire, with Alabama ultimately winning 87-85.

The game was tied at 80-80 before Amari Allen’s and-1 layup with 1:09 remaining, putting Alabama up three points. Qayden Samuels also had a clutch layup to help the Crimson Tide hang on. Those two both had 20+ points to lead the way.

Kevin Overton was Auburn’s leading scorer with 26 points and six triples. Tahaad Pettiford (11 points) fouled out with three minutes remaining, and overall there were 54 fouls and 72 free throw attempts between the two teams.

“Obviously, a game between Auburn and Alabama was going to be a little intense,” Nate Oats said postgame. “Obviously, we’d like to do it without some chippiness, but I did think the intensity was what we expected, which is good… It’s Alabama and Auburn, and nobody wants to lose to the opponent in this rivalry.”

The other major exhibition game to cover from Thursday was Virginia’s dominant 93-71 win over Villanova. The Cavaliers shot a whopping 17-of-38 (44.7%) from the 3-point line and had 21 assists on 33 made field goals. Thijs De Ridder (17-4-1), Elijah Gertrude (16-4-1) and Chance Mallory (15-5-3) were the most notable performers.

Villanova was without Kwame Evans Jr., a preseason All-Big East second teamer, who’s day-to-day with a left leg injury. Devin Royal’s 21 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting and Tony Perkins’ 20 points led the way. The Wildcats had 16 turnovers to just 14 assists.

More exhibition scores:

• Purdue 92, Purdue Fort Wayne 62

• Murray State 86, FIU 79 — Roman Doman scored 29 points.

• Lafayette 83, Drexel 58

• Queens 110, Charleston Southern 94

• North Dakota State 80, MSU Moorhead 74

2. Cincinnati adds another fifth-year

Jerrod Calhoun continues to add fifth-year talent. The Bearcats landed Akron transfer forward Amani Lyles on Thursday.

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