AUBURN, Ala. — No. 13 Auburn saw its impressive 16-game home winning streak come to an end on Saturday as they fell 70-59 to No. 22 Kentucky at Neville Arena. Despite a strong effort, the Tigers couldn't overcome the relentless pressure from the Wildcats, ultimately succumbing to defeat in front of their home crowd.
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl conceded that Kentucky's defensive prowess outmatched his team.
"Kentucky can guard and they can turn it up when they want to. They outplayed us. We held them to 70, they average 90. We played hard and made some plays defensively but their ball pressure disrupted us," Pearl said.
Despite the loss, standout performances from Johni Broome, who recorded his tenth double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Chad Baker-Mazara, who contributed 14 points while going a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line, showcased Auburn's resilience in the face of adversity. Denver Jones added 12 points to the Tigers' effort.
Trailing 39-29 at halftime, Auburn mounted a spirited comeback effort in the second half, fueled by an intensified defensive effort that led to turnovers and transition scoring opportunities. A 6-0 run electrified the home crowd and brought the Tigers within five points, igniting hopes of a comeback.
"We were getting the shots we wanted but it was one of those nights where our outside shots weren’t falling," Jones reflected. "It’s frustrating when we’re not seeing shots fall, but you’ve still got to get back and play defense."
Despite their efforts, Auburn struggled to capitalize on offensive opportunities, particularly from beyond the arc, where they shot a dismal 18.2 percent for the game. Missed opportunities coupled with Kentucky's opportunistic play led to the Tigers' downfall.
Antonio Reeves led the charge for Kentucky with a game-high 22 points, showcasing the Wildcats' offensive firepower.
Looking ahead, Auburn will have a much-needed break before their next matchup against Georgia. With extra time to rest and regroup, Pearl expressed confidence in his team's ability to bounce back. "We need a bye," Pearl emphasized. "I still like our team. We’ll put it together and we’ll be better for the next one. I’m so proud of them for the position they’re in. We’ll take a couple days off and see if we can regroup."
With their sights set on redemption, Auburn aims to learn from this setback and come back stronger in their upcoming contest against Georgia next Saturday.
