The Auburn men's basketball team ended the 2013 calendar year on a high note with a lopsided 91-59 victory against Arkansas Pine-Bluff Monday in Auburn Arena.
"I thought we did a good job of not worrying about who our competition was and worried about where we could get better," said head coach Tony Barbee. "I thought defensively we did a pretty good job overall. There were some places where we got complacent because of the score, but for the most part we did a good job of communicating."
Guards Chris Denson and KT Harrell again led the way for the Tigers (7-3), who will begin 2014 in the midst of a three game win streak.
"I felt pretty confident coming into the year that those guys would do what they are doing, if not more," Barbee said. "I think they are both doing a pretty good job of using their threat to score to get other guys shots."
Denson, the SEC's second leading scorer, had 17 points and four assists while Harrell tallied 19 points on 4-of-6 shooting from behind the arc.
The Tigers shot 52.6 percent (10-19) on three pointers and blocked 12 of the Golden Lions' shots.
Early three pointers from Harrell put Auburn out in front 26-7 less than eight minutes into the game. The SEC's third leading scorer is averaging 20.8 points per game in the Tigers' last five contests.
"This team has a chance to be a good offensive team," Barbee said. "We can shoot the ball. We can stretch the floor and we have got guys that can drive and create."
Freshman guard Dion Wade provided 15 points and four three pointers off the bench for the Tigers while fellow freshman point guard Tahj Shamsid-Deen contributed nine points and eight assists.
The Golden Lions (2-10) were led in scoring by junior guard Tevin Hammond, who posted 19 points and five assists on the night.
Auburn's first game in 2014 will come on Jan. 4 against the Florida A&M Rattlers (3-10) in Auburn Arena. Tip-off is currently scheduled for 7 p.m.
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