AUBURN, Alabama -- The third time was the charm for Auburn in its biggest win yet under Bruce Pearl.

The Tigers watched victory slip out of their grasp twice against Xavier before they held on in double overtime for an 89-88 victory Saturday in front of 7,975 fans at Auburn Arena.

In a game that featured several clutch moments by both teams, it was Malcolm Canada who delivered the final blow. He drilled a pair of free throws with 14 seconds remaining in double overtime to give the Tigers the victory against the Musketeers, a Big East and NCAA Tournament contender.

"I live for it," Canada said. "I was hoping I got fouled, so I could shoot those free throws."

Remy Abell's 3-pointer as time expired missed wide right, sending the near-capacity crowd into a frenzy at Auburn Arena.

"Our basketball team showed a lot of character, a lot of belief in themselves," Pearl said. "I'm so proud of them. That would have been a hard one to not get."

In a back-and-forth final 20 minutes, Auburn had several stars step up as players battled foul trouble. Auburn also had a chance to seal the victory in regulation and in the first overtime, but Abell's free throws with 3 seconds remaining in regulation and Matt Stainbrook's free throws with 13 seconds remaining in overtime tied the game and kept the Musketeers alive.

For a team that has struggled in the clutch moments, including a 46-44 loss at Texas Tech earlier this season, Auburn (5-5) somehow found a way to battle back as Xavier (8-3) countered nearly every move.

"What I was honestly thinking, not that this team doesn't know how to win, I was thinking this team needs to win," Pearl said. "This term deserves to win. This team has put itself in position to win."

Four Auburn players scored in double digits with KT Harrell leading the way with 24 points. Canada finished with 15, but no points were bigger than his free throws in the final seconds of double overtime.

Canada, a guard, moved to power forward as the Tigers fought through foul trouble -- center Cinmeon Bowers fouled out at the end of the first overtime -- and Xavier didn't have an answer as the guard drove hard to the basket, drew contact and also hit crucial go-ahead layup with 37 seconds remaining in the first overtime.

"Obviously it's my best game here so far," Canada said. "It's a good feeling."

Auburn battled back from a 14-point deficit in the second half.

The Tigers grabbed a 66-64 lead with 2:27 remaining in regulation on a 3-pointer from Harrell, just seconds after Xavier point guard Dee Davis fouled out on an offensive charge.

"This was our game in the second half and we let it slip away," Xavier coach Chris Mack said. "Again, give credit to Auburn."



The teams traded jabs throughout the second half before Auburn's furious rally pulled it within striking distance several times in the final 10 minutes.

Bowers finished with 17 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes, providing the Tigers a much-needed spark despite his foul trouble. Freshman center Trayvon Reed, in only his third game on campus, added five blocks and four points, including a pair of free throws on four trips to the free throw line in double overtime.

"Trayvon allowed us to survive when Cinmeon wasn't in the game," Pearl said.

Xavier was led by Abell's 18 points, and Jalen Reynolds and Trevon Bluiett had 16 apiece.