AUBURN | No. 1 Auburn took another big step toward winning its sixth SEC regular season championship and third in the last seven years.

The Tigers beat Ole Miss 106-76 Wednesday night to reduce their magic number to one. One more win by Auburn or a loss by second-place Alabama over the final three games will clinch AU a share of the title.

Auburn will have its first opportunity to cut down the nets Saturday afternoon at No. 17 Kentucky, where it hasn’t won since 1988.

“It means a lot,” said All-American Johni Broome, who had 29 points and nine rebounds against the Rebels. “I'd say I'm proud of this team and this staff for all the work we've put in, it's finally showing a little bit. Job's not finished.

“It'd be good to clinch it at Kentucky. Obviously, they're a historic program. We want to clinch it then go to A&M, take care of business and then finish up at home. It's more than Rupp to clinch it, but it feels good.”

A combination of two AU wins or UA losses will give the Tigers the outright championship.

“Coming off the heels of beating Georgia on Saturday, we took a look at the schedule and for the first time all year probably looked at more than the first game,” said AU coach Bruce Pearl.

“I looked at Ole Miss at home, at Kentucky, where we haven’t won since 1988, at Texas A&M and then home against Alabama, and figured we pretty much better get this one because they’re all going to be tough.”

Auburn has won four SEC titles in the last 10 years under Pearl including two regular season and two tournament.

The Tigers close out the regular season at No. 12 Texas A&M next Tuesday and against No. 6 Alabama at home Saturday, March 8. The Tide plays at No. 5 Tennessee and hosts No. 3 Florida before finishing at AU.

Tip-off at Rupp Arena is scheduled for noon CT on ABC.