In its first game action of the season, Auburn routed Auburn University-Montgomery in the preseason exhibition game, 102-66, led by its various newcomers. It was Auburn’s largest win in an exhibition game since beating Eckerd 97-53 in 2019.
Including the exhibition game, Auburn did not top 100 points at any point last season, with the Tigers topping out at 94 points against Georgia in the 2022-23 campaign.
The Tigers were without two expected key contributors for the majority of the game, as freshman Aden Holloway missed the game after “tweaking his ankle” in a scrimmage game against Furman on Sunday while Preseason All-SEC Second Team selection Johni Broome suffered a shoulder injury three minutes into the game.
Both players are expected to be okay, according to head coach Bruce Pearl.
Even with the two absences, eight players played 19 minutes or more for the Tigers, something Pearl expects to continue into the season.
“I think that we could have 10 guys playing 20 minutes,” Pearl said. “I mean, that’s a possibility. And now, that won’t necessarily be the case, but that’s what it’s been throughout practice…”
The Tigers got off to a slow start, trailing 16-15 at the 12-minute mark of the half. In the final 12 minutes of the first half, however, the Tigers went on an extended 34-13 run, at one point going on a 23-2 run, to pull away from their visitors and take a 49-29 lead into the break.
The second half continued much like the first half finished. The Tigers shot 59.4% from the field in the half, scoring 53 points after the break to turn the game into a rout.
The majority of the walk-ons came in at the 4:01 mark of the half, but the points kept coming. Blake Muschalek ignited the crowd with a dunk, as did Jalen Harper. Carter Sobera scored the basket to give the Tigers 100.
Though the Tigers got past 100 points, the 3-point shooting was a non-factor for the Auburn offense. Auburn went just 5-for-25 from 3-point range, for a rate of 20%.
Four of the makes were from Denver Jones, who made 50% of his shots behind the arc. Jones finished with a team-high 18 points.
“Ever since I first got here, (Pearl) told me he wanted me to shoot the ball,” Jones said. “And he was like I’m here to score.”
The rest of the team combined to shoot 1-of-17 from 3-point range. Pearl, however, was not concerned about his team’s struggles from deep.
“Tonight, we didn’t shoot it very well,” Pearl said. “Probably the worst we’ve shot it in a while. I’m not worried about it…most of the shots we got were good shots and balls that are going to go in, so not worried about our shooting from the free-throw line or the 3-point line.”
Despite the struggles from deep, Auburn turned in an efficient offensive performance, shooting 49.3% from the field.
“This is a very unselfish team, to be honest,” said forward Chad Baker-Mazara. “I just feel like even though our 3’s are not going to fall, guys are not going to settle just for 3.”
Jones led a plethora of newcomers, with Baker-Mazara scoring 15 and guard Chaney Johnson putting up 14. Veteran forward Jaylin Williams was the only other Tiger that reached double figures, scoring 11.
In total, newcomers scored 52 points, while returnees scored 50 for the Tigers. Both Baker-Mazara and Jones had anticipated their first game at Neville Arena.
“To be honest, I was really excited the whole day,” Baker-Mazara said. “Even last night, I couldn’t fall asleep.”
Jones had also looked forward to playing in front of the Auburn fans, which he did for the first time Wednesday.
“I used to always ask most of the returners how The Jungle is and they told me it’s crazy,” Jones said. “I got a little taste of that tonight.”
Though Pearl was not entirely pleased with his team’s defense, AUM had 23 turnovers, including 17 steals by the Auburn defense. Leading the way defensively was K.D. Johnson with four steals and Tre Donaldson, who had three.
Meanwhile, Auburn only turned it over 12 times, and three times in the second half.
“To only turn it over 12 times against them,” Pearl said. “They really do turn you over and especially, we only had three turnovers in the second half.”
The free-throw line was a busy place all game. There were a combined 45 fouls called, with 19 going against Auburn and 26 against AUM. At the foul line, the Tigers shot 31-of-43 (72.1%) and the Warhawks shot 22-of-27 (81.5%).
Baker-Mazara and Jones were especially efficient at the foul line. Baker-Mazara was 9-for-9 and Jones was 4-for-4. In total, three Tigers who took three or more free throws were perfect, while center Dylan Cardwell was 5-for-6.
The season starts for real on Tuesday, Nov. 7, when the Tigers travel to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to take on No. 20 Baylor. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. CST and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
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Matthew is a senior from Huntsville, Alabama, majoring in journalism. He started with The Plainsman in fall 2021.
Twitter: @mattwallaceAU
