For one half Tuesday morning, Bruce Pearl and the Auburn Tigers went toe-to-toe with the Colorado Buffaloes, a 2014 NCAA Tournament team.
But then the second half started.
The Tigers' (1-1) shooting went cold in the second half in Boulder, Colorado, where Auburn picked up its first loss of the Pearl era, 90-59.
After shooting 39 percent from the field in the first half of this midnight matchup, the Tigers' shot just 18.2 percent in the final half of play.
Auburn pulled within two on a KC Ross-Miller jumper just 20 seconds into the second half, and then had several opportunities to either tie or take the lead from Colorado (2-0).
But the Buffaloes countered, ending the game on a 38-13 run over the final 12 minutes and stifling the Tigers to the tune of three field goals over that span.
Colorado took control of the game while Auburn missed 17 consecutive field goal attempts and cruised to a comfortable 31-point victory.
Without the presence of fellow scorer Antoine Mason, KT Harrell led the Tigers with 20 points, but struggled shooting the ball, going 5-of-17 (29 percent) from the field.
Cinmeon Bowers recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, his second in two career games for the Tigers.
However, the former JUCO transfer struggled shooting the ball against the Bufaloes' lengthy frontcourt, limiting his field goal percentage.
Colorado's size advantage led to a 46-35 rebounding advantage and a 42-24 edge in points in the paint.
Auburn will look to move above .500 on Friday, Nov. 21 when they'll welcome the Louisiana-Lafayette Rajin' Cajuns (1-1) to the Auburn Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT.
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