No. 1 ranked Auburn avoided a second straight loss in Neville Arena Wednesday against Arkansas. After beating Alabama at home this past weekend in a historic game against two top ranked teams, the Tigers turned in a flat performance offensively against Arkansas.
That was until Chad Baker-Mazara provided some offensive energy late in the 4th quarter.
“Our guys competed,” said Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl. “They did not let the fact that we weren't making shots and playing well offensively affect their defense. Holding Arkansas to 60 points is significant.”
At the three minute mark Johnell Davis took the lead for Arkansas with a layup. Baker-Mazara quickly responded with one of his own to give Auburn the lead at 59-58.
After a trade of missed jumpers from the Razorbacks' Davis and the Tigers' Chaney Johnson and Johni Broome dominated the glass and had a second chance at two points to extend Auburn's lead to three.
“We didn't let our lack of shooting the basketball affect us on the defensive end, which I thought was really, really important,” Pearl said. “I thought we got some clean looks and just did not make shots.”
One missed Arkansas shot later, Baker-Mazara came down the floor and was fouled on a jumper. The 90% free throw shooter was automatic from the line to extend the Tigers' lead to multiple possessions.
The Razorbacks answered with a pair of free throws of their own from Adou Thiero to get back with in three points as Auburn led 63-60.
CBM repeated history by getting to the stripe once again to extend the lead to five. This time, with 32 seconds left, Arkansas was forced to foul.
Denver Jones was stood at the stripe and sunk both, sealing Auburns 67-60 win.
Baker-Mazara, known for his passion and expierence on the court, proved to be a crucial piece in closing out Arkansas down the stretch. Baker-Mazara provided six of his 15 total points in the final two minutes and 41 seconds of action.
Auburn improved to an overall record of 24-2 and takes on SEC rival Georgia on Saturday, 22 at 3 p.m. as the second of three-straight home games for the Tigers.
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Kevin is a sophomore majoring in communications. He started with The Plainsman in the spring of 2025.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @kcorso24
