Auburn basketball continued its impressive run with a commanding 98-70 victory over Oklahoma at Neville Arena. The Tigers put on a show for their home crowd, displaying an explosive offense and a stifling defense. They simply overwhelmed the Sooners from start to finish.
Balanced Scoring and Defensive Presence
Auburn had five players score in double figures, led by Johni Broome’s all-around performance. Broome tallied 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting while also contributing six assists, five rebounds, and three blocks. Chad Baker-Mazara and Denver Jones each added 15 and 13 points, respectively, with Jones shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the field.
Chaney Johnson provided a major boost with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Tahad Pettiford added 11 points, knocking down three three-pointers. The Tigers dominated on the defensive end, amassing 11 blocks as a team, with Dylan Cardwell leading the way with six rejections.
Bruce Pearl’s Reaction
Head Coach Bruce Pearl praised his team’s effort, particularly on defense. “Holding a team like Oklahoma, who averages over 80 points per game, to just 70 is a testament to how hard these guys worked,” Pearl said. “Our rim protection was outstanding, and we did a great job limiting their clean looks.”
Pearl also emphasized the need for continued improvement. “We still have areas to clean up, especially with our free-throw discipline. Sending them to the line 29 times is something we can’t afford against tougher opponents.”
Oklahoma’s Struggles and Coach Moser’s Comments
Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser acknowledged Auburn’s dominance, particularly in the paint. “They were just bigger, stronger, and more physical than us tonight,” Moser admitted. “We struggled to get clean shots inside, and their shot-blocking really affected our game plan. Credit to Auburn—they imposed their will from the start.”
Moser also pointed to turnovers as a key issue for the Sooners. “Fifteen turnovers against a team like Auburn is a recipe for disaster. We have to take better care of the ball moving forward.”
Player Reactions and Takeaways
Johni Broome reflected on the team’s energy. “We knew we had to set the tone early, and we did that on both ends of the floor. Our defense created a lot of opportunities for us to get out and run.”
Denver Jones, who finished with a game-high plus-minus of +26, highlighted the team’s chemistry. “We’re moving the ball really well, and everyone is contributing. That’s what makes us so dangerous.”
The game also saw some spectacular plays, including a highlight-reel reverse alley-oop, which had Auburn fans buzzing. “We’re just having fun out there,” said Chaney Johnson. “When we play our game, we’re tough to stop.”
With this win, Auburn strengthens its position atop the SEC standings. The Tigers now turn their focus to their upcoming matchup, where they’ll look to maintain their momentum in conference play.
War Eagle!
