Auburn basketball game recap: Ole Miss Rebels

Preface: this article is late because I’m an emergency manager, and tornadoes are no fun. Make it two in a row for the good guys. Auburn basketball went into Oxford for the annual fistfight with Ole Miss, and came back home with a win. While Kermit Davis has been a thorn in Bruce’s side, Auburn made sure to leave no doubt this time.

While the game was close in the first half, the second half was all Auburn. Let’s talk about it.

All game comments come from this highlight video.

All game stats come from this box score.

First half of Auburn basketball vs Ole Miss

The first half of this one is exactly what we expected. On the road against Kermit Davis, anything is possible. And Ole Miss made sure to fight tooth and nail. Anytime Auburn threatened to make a run, Ole Miss answered or went on a short run of their own.

The biggest positive of this one was Johni Broome being dominant on the low block early and often. The big man scored the Tigers’ first seven points from the floor, and made several great plays on the boards.

While Ole Miss constantly made shots they had not been making in previous games, Auburn never hung their heads. In losses this year, Auburn seemed to let defensive slips affect them mentally. In this one, they didn’t.

Ole Miss led 35-34 at the half. That was the last time that they led.

Second half of Auburn basketball vs Ole Miss

Auburn turned it on after the break. There’s really no other way to put it. From down one at the break, Auburn went up nine at the 10 minute mark of the second half. From then on, the Tigers and the Rebels essentially traded buckets.

Final score: 82-73 Auburn.

Final stats

Leading scorer: Wendell Green Jr. (23 PTS)

Leading rebounder: Johni Broome (11 REB)

Leading assister: Wendell Green (7 AST)

Player of the game: I’ll give this one to both Wendell Green Jr. and Johni Broome. Both played great, and while Green wasn’t super efficient from the floor, 23/5/7 isn’t a line to scoff at. Johni’s impacts down low clearly kept Auburn in it physically.

Moving Forward

Auburn moves to 13-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play with this win. The Tigers will come back home against Mississippi State on Saturday. That game recap should be out soon as we approach tip-off.