Earnest Ross scored a game-high 20 points and made two free throws with six seconds remaining in overtime to secure Auburn’s 88-84 win over Georgia Southern Wednesday night in Auburn, Ala., averting one of the biggest collapses in the history of Auburn basketball.

The Tigers (5-7) blew a 29-point first-half lead as Georgia Southern (4-10) erased a 52-25 halftime deficit by outscoring Auburn 51-24 in the second half. The visitors finally caught the Tigers 76-76 on a 3-pointer by Ben Drayton III with six seconds left in regulation.

Auburn never relinquished the lead in overtime as the Tigers scored the first three points and held on. Freshman forward Eric Ferguson, who led Georgia Southern with 19 points and 12 rebounds, had a chance to tie the game with eight seconds remaining in the extra session, but missed a jumper.

Ross sealed the win with his pair of free throws.

Ross was one of five Tigers in double figures. Frankie Sullivan scored 17 points and added five assists and four steals, while Kenny Gabriel came off the bench to tally 15 points. Rob Chubb and Josh Langford added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Georgia Southern, coached by former Auburn assistant coach Charlton Young, nearly pulled off its biggest comeback in school history, but lost its 10th straight road game dating back to last season. Drayton III, held scoreless in the first half, finished with 18 points and nine assists for the Eagles, while Zuri Jones, who had scored 18 points the entire season, came off the bench to tally a career-high 18.