Auburn basketball kicked off their SEC season in commanding fashion with an 84-68 victory over the Missouri Tigers at Neville Arena. This ties the record for head coach Bruce Pearl (213).
Key Highlights from the Game:
Dominant Performance at Home
The Auburn Tigers asserted their dominance early. The Tigers showcased their shooting prowess (7 of 13 from 3). With a high-energy performance, the team controlled the tempo from start to finish. The defense frustrated Missouri into 16 Turnovers.
Johni Broome Shines Bright
Johni Broome was the standout player of the night, delivering a stellar performance with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting. His ability to capitalize on mismatches in the paint proved critical in Auburn’s success. He also controlled the game from the defensive end with 4 blocks.
Auburn’s Balanced Attack
The Tigers’ offense wasn’t reliant on just one player, as multiple contributors made an impact. The team’s ability to spread the floor and find open shots kept Missouri’s defense scrambling throughout the game. There were 5 Tigers with double digit points (Broome, Baker-Mazara, Johnson, Pettiford, and Jones).
Defensive Tenacity
Auburn’s defense was relentless, holding Missouri to just 42% shooting in the first half. They forced turnovers and contested shots, making it difficult for Missouri to get any rhythm. In total, Missouri finished the game 21 of 55 for just 38% from the field.
Second Half Surge
Auburn came out strong after halftime, going on a decisive 12-1 run that extended their lead to 62-36. This burst of energy left Missouri struggling to mount a comeback and solidified Auburn’s control of the game.
What’s Next for Auburn?
With this win, Auburn has established themselves as a top contender in the SEC. The team will look to keep their momentum as they continue conference play on the road against Texas. This will just be the second true road game for Auburn this season.
For more in-depth analysis and highlights from the game, check out the reaction video linked below:
In the post-game press conference, Coach Bruce Pearl expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance. He highlighted the teams defensive efforts and balanced offense. Coach Pearl, also, praised Johni Broome’s standout game. He “is a load down there,” remarked Pearl. Coach Pearl also noted areas for improvement. In particular, he felt the Tigers need to reduce turnovers and improve at the Free Throw line. Auburn shot 18 of 24 from the line (75%).
Full press conference video:
