AUBURN | Alabama had no answer for Auburn’s inside game.

Jaylin Williams and Johni Broome combined for 50 points to lead the 12th-ranked Tigers to a 99-81 win over the 16th-ranked Tide Wednesday night at Neville Arena.

“We had the advantage on the inside with Jaylin Williams and Johni Broome,” said AU coach Bruce Pearl. “We were able to handle any of their perimeter pressure and be able to get the ball in situations where we could get tight catches, and they just fouled us. We took advantage of that.”

Auburn had a decisive 40-26 advantage on points in the paint and converted 15 Alabama turnovers into 22 points.

The Tigers improve to 19-4 overall and 8-2 in the SEC, pulling into a three-way tie with Alabama and No. 15 South Carolina for first place in the SEC. No. 6 Tennessee is a half-game behind at 7-2.

“I felt like going in, this game was clearly the biggest regular-season game we’ve had this year,” said Pearl. “Because if Alabama get this one they’re two games up on us and we’re probably not in the championship race. And so we put ourselves in a position where at least we’re still in it.

“The crowd was amazing. The environment was tremendous. ESPN goes to a lot of great buildings, a lot of sellout crowds. This place is different."

Williams finished with a career-high 26 points along with six rebounds. Broome had 24 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots.

“It felt like the Washington game when we were going crazy together,” said Williams. “It felt really good just being patient inside. That’s our game and we just took advantage of it.”

Tre Donaldson added 14 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Chad Baker-Mazara 13 points and six rebounds.

AU out-rebounded UA 42-35 and scored 24 second-chance points off 15 offensive boards. AU also had a 26-8 advantage in fast-break points. AU shot 42.2 percent from the floor including 5 of 19 from 3-point range, and made a program-record 40 free throws on 50 attempts.

Auburn finished the half on a 16-2 run to lead 55-41 at the break. Williams had 17 at halftime and Broome 14.

AU led by double-digits the entire second half. stretching the leads to 23 with 1:55 left.

“Our goal is to win the SEC so we had to get a separator,” said Broome. “We had to get one because a loot of people in the league ain’t gonna beat Alabama. They’re a very good team so that was big that we are able to split with them. We’ve just got to keep it going.”

Auburn returns to action Saturday at Florida. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network.