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A spirit that is not afraid

Auburn shuts down Yale for 22-point victory

Dec. 4, 2021; Auburn, Alabama; Chris Moore (5) slams a dunk home in a match between Auburn and Yale in the Auburn Arena.
Dec. 4, 2021; Auburn, Alabama; Chris Moore (5) slams a dunk home in a match between Auburn and Yale in the Auburn Arena.

No. 21 Auburn thumped Yale at home in a defensive showcase on Saturday, 86-64. The Bulldogs 64 total points is the second-lowest scoring performance from a visitor to Auburn Arena this season. 

The story of the day was the Tigers’ 14 total blocks, nine of which came in the game’s opening minutes. Center Walker Kessler had four blocks early, but sat for most of the game after being shaken up in the first half. Stretch Akingbola added three blocks late. 

Fourteen blocks is the most blocks by an Auburn team under Bruce Pearl, three shy of the program record. 

“That is our identity,” said junior guard Devan Cambridge. “We are going to continue to do that.” 

Auburn held Yale to 32% shooting and forced 12 turnovers. Jabari Smith and Chris Moore each had two steals, leading the team. 

Offensively, Auburn scored early and often. Cambridge posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. K.D. Johnson led all scorers on the day with 19 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the field.

"It felt awesome getting us a great team win today. I played well, the team played well,” Johnson said. 

Yale, a team that does not have a player over 6-foot-10, was clearly outmatched during the entire game as Auburn was able to out-rebound the Bulldogs and stuff shots at the rim. Auburn’s size led the team to 34 points in the paint.

Dylan Cardwell, who played center for most of the game with Kessler on the bench, posted 10 points and six total rebounds. Cardwell also got in on the block party, sending three shots back the other way. 

“Dylan was terrific. He was calm, patient,” Pearl said. “We got three terrific centers. Stretch did a great job in the second half, defensively especially."

Auburn’s point guards Zep Jasper and Wendell Green had 11 assists combined, with zero turnovers on the day. Jabari Smith dropped 17 points on 6-14 shooting, grabbing six boards.

Smith parted the defense midway through the first half and threw down a one-handed dunk that sent Auburn Arena into a frenzy.

Pearl said postgame that his team performed so well largely in part to the Auburn fan base. 

“The energy today in the arena was incredible,” Pearl said. “This place was lit.”

Auburn’s defensive tenacity has spread throughout the team, led by the “craziness” of Johnson. To keep up the ferocity throughout the season, Johnson said they are going to have to keep punching. 

"We don't want to get hit in the mouth first, we want to do the hitting,” Johnson said. 

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Henry Zimmer | Sports Reporter

Henry Zimmer is from Jacksonville, Florida, and is currently in his fifth year with The Plainsman. He is currently the Sports Reporter and can be followed on Twitter here: @henryzimmer


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