Auburn basketball faced one of their toughest opponents yet in Murray State this week and came out on top in a resounding 71-58 victory. Both Wendell Green and Jabari Smith posted double-doubles, the first time two Auburn players have done that in the same game since last season.
Walker Kessler was a key member of the lineup, scoring 13 points, scooping up seven rebounds, and blocking seven shots, his season-best. Preseason first-team All-SEC pick Allen Flanigan also made his return after tearing his ACL earlier this year and scored three points in addition to grabbing four rebounds.
Though there were many great plays in the game, including dunks by Devan Cambridge and Dylan Cardwell, there’s no denying the biggest moment was Wendell Green’s half-court shot:
RANGE. 🎯
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) December 23, 2021
Chill @icyywen 😱 pic.twitter.com/WHeVzF0Vf8
When a pass was deflected into the backcourt with the shot clock winding down, Green scooped up the ball and shot from behind the half-court line with three seconds left and drained it. Needless to say, Auburn basketball fans went crazy–both in Auburn Arena and on Twitter:
Who else in the country has range like @icyywen ?? Nobody… https://t.co/KnXN1Rjio9
— The Dude 🦅🐅 (@KindaTheDude) December 23, 2021
This shot was in the air so long the shot clock buzzer started sounding as the ball reached the apex of its flight and finished its cycle before the ball splashed thru the net.
— Klell Rides With Cadillac (@AUTigerBloggin) December 23, 2021
Do that Wendell Green Jr! #WarEagle @AuburnMBB https://t.co/tn0tLWZqdz
logo wennnnnn https://t.co/k5xM9u8cMS
— Jack$on Pruitt (@MagicJacks0n) December 23, 2021
Bruce Pearl’s Tigers closed out non-conference play on an eight-game winning streak and an 11-1 record. They’ll open up conference play against the undefeated LSU Tigers on December 29 at Auburn Arena. Will Wade’s Tigers are ranked #17 and have yet to lose a game, but they’ll have a tough time beating Auburn on their home turf after Christmas.