After a 2nd half offensive burst and an overall stellar defensive effort the Tigers were able to claim a decisive victory over SEC foes, the Florida Gators, to finish their 3-game homestretch 3-0.
Auburn was able to hold Florida to only 4/20 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc, well below their average of 10 made 3s a game, while also forcing the Gators to commit a season high 17 turnovers in a defensive performance that coach Bruce Pearl praised.
In his press conference Coach Pearl called this feat “getting a little bit of a defensive swagger back” after a rough defensive stretch on the road where Auburn let up an average of 84.6 points. After these 3 games at home in which they’ve allowed only 61 points per game and forced 19.3 turnovers per game you could make a strong argument Auburn has gotten this defensive swagger back.
As well as the solid defensive stand by Auburn, they got double digit scoring from 3 Tigers. Bryce Brown scored a game-high 14 points, Samir Doughty had 12 points and 3 steals in what may be his most complete game on both sides of the court as an Auburn Tiger, and finally rounded out by Chuma Okeke who scored 11 points after a scary fall on his right hip early in the game had limited him some.
Auburn will be hoping that this new founded defensive intensity will be able to travel as they head to Baton Rouge for a battle with the #21 LSU Tigers this Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
