NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The stands split blue and orange, a loud cheer for almost every play of the game, every moment feeling greater than the last, one thing stood above the others. To say the Auburn fans showed up and showed out, would be an understatement, as the Auburn family fueled the Tigers victory over Florida by a score of 86-67 to secure the SEC Tournament Championship.
"Winning the championship this year means even more because the league was so good," Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. "We've won a few of these. I think this one is the most special. Maybe it's because it's in my 10th year here at Auburn or because the bond that this team had. I wanted it really badly for these guys. Or maybe just the fact that this league was that good.
The star of the show undoubtably was Johni Broome. The big man finished with xx points, xx rebounds. Not only was this Broome’s 13th double-double of the season, it was also the contest where the former transfer recorded 2,000 career point in college.
"We're playing for a coach, BP, the staff we have, the players that we have, the bond that we have, the chemistry that we have – it just makes it more special," Broome said. "I wanted it for myself, but I wanted to see the smiles on my teammates' faces and my coaches' faces because we worked so hard to be here."
The game, more than others, this game was about runs. The Gators came out on a run and cut the lead to one. There was controversy however, as Auburn would collect six fouls in the first five minutes compared to zero from Florida.
Auburn’s defense was a constant throne in the side of the opposition, limiting the Gators to shooting 36.4% from the field and only one three-pointer.
Bench points were a key to the win for Auburn. The team finished with a combined 33 points off the bench, led by Tre Donaldson and Chriss Moore.
Moore went a perfect 3-for-3 from the field while adding six rebounds. The senior has been putting in solid performances since the injury to Lior Berman late in the season.
Auburn will head to Spokane, Washington, to face off against Yale in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
