Auburn men's basketball improved to 2-1 on the season following their 105-80 victory over the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns Friday night in the Auburn Arena.
It was the first time Auburn basketball has scored at least 100 points since 2003.
"I thought we had really good contributions all the way around," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "This is our third game in eight days. That's a lot but we're used to playing that way."
KT Harrell led all scorers with 24 points but reigning SEC Player of the Week Cinmeon Bowers posted his third double-double in his third career game for Auburn, with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Bowers is the first Auburn player since 2009 to have three straight double doubles.
Auburn is now 5-0 all-time at home against Louisiana and Bruce Pearl also goes to 5-0 in career coaching appearances against the Ragin' Cajuns.
After being tied at 10 with 15 minutes remaining in the first half, Auburn took control of the lead and did not look back as they ended the half with Bowers hitting a three-pointer as time expired to make it 45-38.
Harrell led all scorers at half with 15 points. This was also his third straight game of scoring at least 20 points.
Auburn continued that momentum in the second half and ran away with it with their sharp shooting (64 percent) on their way to the victory. The Tigers made their final 11 shots to close the game out.
Tahj Shamsid-Deen struggled in the Tigers' first two games this season, bounced back in the second half of this one, finishing with 21 points and five 3-pointers.
"My coaches and teammates have been encouraging me to not worry and keep shooting," Shamsid-Deen said. "In the second half it started to drop."
Malcolm Canada chipped in a career-high 10 points and six assists while Jordon Granger finished with a career-high 14 points.
"That's the best we've played so far," Pearl said. "We had several guys have career nights tonight."
Auburn goes back on the road this Monday, Nov. 24, to compete in the MGM Grand Event against Tulsa on ESPNU.
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