Just over two minutes into No. 1 Auburn’s matchup at LSU, the road Tigers had missed all nine shot attempts – despite a six offensive rebound opening possession for Auburn – and trailed 6-0.
The orange and blue Tigers would proceed to start 6-of-22 from the field and trail second chance points 5-0 despite leading offensive rebound by a +9 margin.
But, the chaotic and sloppy start would be just that, a start as the top-ranked Tigers would maintain their lead and pull away from LSU 87-74 to open league play with seven straight wins and continue a firm hold of the top of the SEC standings.
“We gotta play better if we're gonna keep winning,” head coach Bruce Pearl said on the Auburn post-game radio broadcast. “You know, we gotta be way sharper.”
National player of the year candidate Johni Broome collected just six points in the first half of play, shooting 3-of-14 from the field, and missing a lone attempt from deep.
But, in the final 20 minutes of play Broome went to work recording 20 points – marking his 11th 20-point game performance of the season – shooting 7-for-9 from the field and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe.
“We went through him and he finished everything. You know, early they did a good job. They're really athletic, they're really quick, they're really explosive. But I think over a period of time, our physicality obviously wears them down,” Pearl said of Broome.
While it was Broome dominating for the road Tigers late, Miles Kelly calmed the storm early with a pair of two quick 3-pointers to add to a 10-point first half and an eventual ‘terrific’ 13 point performance. Kelly is now shooting 44.0% from deep in Auburn’s four SEC road games.
“Just a tremendous defensive game plan. Chad Prewett, Corey Williams, Stephen Pearl, a tremendous defensive game plan. The way we guard the ball screens…we knew we needed to turn them over. We did,” Pearl said.
The road Tigers turned over the home Tigers 20 times directly turning into 22 points and collected a season-high 15 steals. LSU was held to just 24 made shots from the field on 51 attempts while Auburn put up 80 shot attempts – a +29 margin.
“We can't keep missing as many shots around the basket as what we miss. Can't we have scored through contact,” Pearl said.
The No. 1 Tigers will finish up the road trip with a stop in Oxford, MS to take on No. 23 Ole Miss on Saturday, Feb. 1 inside of the Pavillion.
“I think it'll be one of the biggest tickets, and in that building's history. You know, obviously Ole Miss plays tonight,” Pearl said. “But, very happy with the win tonight.”
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Patrick is a junior from Auburn, Alabama, double majoring in journalism and marketing. He started with The Plainsman in the fall of 2022.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @patrickabingham
