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A spirit that is not afraid

Auburn unable to keep up with Gators in 74-57 loss

Feb 23, 2021; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers forward JT Thor (10) gets a dunk during the game between Auburn and Florida at Auburn Arena. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood/AU Athletics
Feb 23, 2021; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers forward JT Thor (10) gets a dunk during the game between Auburn and Florida at Auburn Arena. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood/AU Athletics

For the first time since Jan. 6, Auburn was without starting point guard Sharife Cooper. The freshman point guard was unavailable for Tuesday's game after suffering an ankle injury on Sunday. 

Cooper's absence was felt in Auburn's 74–57 loss to Florida at home Tuesday night.

"This team's been through a lot," said head coach Bruce Pearl. "Obviously we struggled tonight, and Sunday we lost Sharife. He got hurt in practice and turned his ankle pretty good. You know, we'll see how the week progresses. Obviously, we never rush guys back. He's working to try and get back but just don't know."

Even without Cooper, Auburn scored first on a Jamal Johnson 3-pointer, but it was the last time that the Tigers had the lead. 

Following a 6-0 run by Florida, Auburn called a timeout down 6-3 with 17:02 left in the first half. 

The Tigers did not score six points until the 14:21 mark in the first half and did not reach double-digits until there was 6:44 left in the half.

Auburn shot 30.4% from the floor in the first half and turned the ball over 13 times, which Florida turned into 13 points. 

While Auburn struggled offensively, the Gators shot 50% from the floor in the first half and 50% from beyond the arc. 

At halftime, Auburn trailed Florida 44-22.

In the second half, the Tigers outscored the Gators 35-30 and were led by Devan Cambridge, who had 11 points in the half.

"We were already falling down with a big margin coming into the half," said JT Thor. "So, we felt like we just had to start fighting. It happened too late but better late than never."  

Cambridge finished the day with 14 points and was one of four Tigers to score in double figures. Johnson and Thor scored 10 apiece, while Jaylin Williams had 11. 

Auburn's defense turned eight Florida turnovers into 10 points in the second half. Thor felt like a big reason for that defensive success was pressing Florida.  

"Pressing them," Thor said. "I feel like we're letting them get catches, do whatever they want to do in the first half. I feel like the second half, we started picking up full and start pressuring the ball, double team them, just running around seeing what we can get."

The Tigers will have to regroup and get ready to host Tennessee on Saturday at 11 a.m. CST. The game will air on ESPN.

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Jake Weese | Sports Editor

Jake Weese, senior in journalism with a minor in history, is The Plainsman's sports editor.

@TheJakeWeese

Sports@theplainsman.com 


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