Auburn men’s basketball’s win over Kentucky Saturday afternoon was a historic one.

Not only did it clinch at least a share of the Southeastern Conference title, it was the program’s first win in Rupp Arena since 1988, ending a 37-year drought.

“This is obviously historic,” Pearl said in his postgame news conference. “Two wins and 31 losses in 33 tries. And for this one to be for a championship, it’s what we do it for, to make history.”

Saturday was Auburn’s third win ever in Rupp Arena, and by far its largest margin of victory, beating the Wildcats 94-78. The next biggest win was an eight-point victory in 1983.

Auburn secured the win Saturday with the help of 30 points and nine 3-pointers from senior guard Miles Kelly and 73 combined points from Kelly, Chad Baker-Mazara and Tahaad Pettiford.

Pearl even joked after the game that he had a line prepared for his press conference if Auburn lost.

“My line was going to be: Every now and then, when y’all make a coaching change, my name comes up. But why in the world would you ever want me to be your coach when I can’t win in Rupp?” Pearl said with a smile. “That was going to be my line.”

Pearl is now tied with former Auburn head coach Sonny Smith with seven wins against Kentucky, the most by a head coach in program history.

Along with all of that, the win will allow Auburn to hang another banner, winning its third SEC regular season championship under Pearl and sixth overall in program history.

“This is our fifth team in the last eight years that has won a regular season or tournament championship,” Pearl said. “So, I’m just super proud and super happy about that.”

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m