Was Chaney Johnson’s pivotal shot against Ole Miss enough to win Auburn basketball back? The Tigers never gave up.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Leading up to Ole Miss on Friday, it had been six games since Auburn basketball’s Chaney Johnson last splashed a 3-pointer, and there may not have been a better time than SEC Tournament quarterfinals for the senior to find his shot again.

Bruce Pearl and the 1-seed Tigers were tied at 46 points in Bridgestone Arena. Under seven minutes to go meant plenty of time for Auburn (28-4) to take the win, but the clock left too much time for Ole Miss to build momentum with Sean Pedulla on a tear after burying the game-winner to knock out Arkansas one night earlier.

But when Johnson’s three swished through the net, the Rebels’ confidence was shot, and Auburn went on to a 62-57 win. With the belief of his teammates, the senior had the faith that moments like that weren’t out of reach despite a little slump to end the regular season.

“I did my little celebration giving glory to God, because I was grateful for him allowing me to make that three,” Johnson said.

That 3-pointer was Johnson’s only basket of the game. He scored a season-high 26 points against Georgia State in non-conference play while his best scoring performance against an SEC team came with 20 vs. Vanderbilt. In Auburn’s two regular-season victories over Ole Miss, he scored two points on the road and 13 at home.