Rising Tide still trying to conquer Auburn

AUBURN, ALABAMA - It was a desperation shot by a low-profile reserve, but it symbolized Alabama&#39;s inability to conquer its cross-state rival. <br> <br> The 14th-ranked Crimson Tide (14-2, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) have won only twice in the last seven meetings with Auburn (8-5, 0-2) entering Saturday&#39;s game. <br> <br> Both teams have vivid memories of the last meeting, when senior Reggie Sharp&#39;s 36-foot buzzer-beater in overtime lifted the Tigers to a 72-69 victory over Alabama, ranked No. 14 then also. <br> <br> ``I feel like we played good enough to win but they won at the buzzer,&#39;&#39; Alabama&#39;s Terrance Meade said. ``It was devastating, but really and truly we did what it took to win. <br> <br> ``That just adds motivation for Saturday.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Auburn coach Cliff Ellis is using the recent series history to motivate his team, also. Alabama hasn&#39;t won at Beard-Eaves Coliseum since a 75-73 victory in 1996. <br> <br> Last season, Erwin Dudley&#39;s two free throws with 7.5 seconds left salvaged an 81-80 Tide win in Tuscaloosa after Auburn rallied from 16 points down. <br> <br> ``We should have beaten them both times last year,&#39;&#39; Ellis said . ``We had them beat in Tuscaloosa and just let it get away. I basically tell my players the last few years we&#39;ve been in control.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> However, Meade points out that the Tide&#39;s four junior starters are 2-2 against the Tigers. <br> <br> ``With the guys here, it&#39;s dead-even,&#39;&#39; Meade said. ``We don&#39;t even think about five of the last seven. We want to keep the same mentality to win and play hard and keep their field goal percentage low.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Alabama has won eight straight games, but is trying to put its road demons to rest. <br> <br> The Tide lost seven of eight SEC road games last season and haven&#39;t played on an opponent&#39;s home court this year. Their two losses to No. 17 Missouri and No. 11 UCLA have come on neutral courts in Anaheim, Calif., and Kansas City, Mo. <br> <br> ``We&#39;ve had that problem the past couple of years,&#39;&#39; Meade said. ``I feel like we&#39;ve matured and gotten better as a team. This year, we&#39;re going have to show people we&#39;re going go on the road and beat other people.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Auburn, meanwhile, wants to show it can win without center Kyle Davis. The league&#39;s top shotblocker is out for a few more weeks following elbow surgery. <br> <br> The Tigers are coming off close losses to SEC West foes Arkansas and Mississippi. For the second straight year, they&#39;ve dropped their first two league games. <br> <br> ``We&#39;re going to have to play a great game, but it&#39;s a game of emotions,&#39;&#39; Ellis said. ``I think this is a game that our players are going to be excited about playing. This is a game that means a lot to our people.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Ellis has been impressed with a Tide team that has four starters scoring in double figures and a fifth, Maurice Williams, averaging 9.9 points. <br> <br> ``This is one of the stronger teams that&#39;s come in here,&#39;&#39; Ellis said, ``and I think their ranking shows that.&#39;&#39;