Auburn demonstrated a dominant performance on the road, clinching a commanding 101-74 victory over Missouri on Tuesday night. The No. 13 ranked Tigers showcased a balanced offensive attack, with five players reaching double figures, highlighting their depth and cohesive teamwork.
The game's momentum shifted decisively in the second half, where Auburn outscored Missouri 57-35, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive tenacity. Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl attributed the team's success to an improved defensive effort and enhanced offensive unselfishness during the latter period. "I thought that our defense turned up in the second half. I thought we played more unselfishly offensively in the second half," remarked Pearl.
Leading the charge for Auburn was forward Johni Broome, who delivered a stellar performance with 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Broome's consistent contributions were highlighted as he achieved double figures for the 21st consecutive game, showcasing his importance to the team's success.
The Tigers' offensive firepower was on full display, with Chad Baker-Mazara and Jaylin Williams each contributing 15 points. Baker-Mazara made a significant impact in the first half, while Williams took charge in the latter period, demonstrating Auburn's versatility and depth in scoring options.
Pearl emphasized the team's advantage in the frontcourt, stating, "We had the advantage on the inside with Jaylin Williams and Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell and Chaney Johnson." This advantage translated into dominance on the boards, with Auburn outrebounding Missouri 41-28 and scoring 48 points in the paint.
Auburn's guard play also played a pivotal role in the victory, with Denver Jones contributing 10 points and displaying solid playmaking skills with four assists. Freshman Aden Holloway showcased confidence on the court, tallying five assists and zero turnovers, earning praise from Pearl for his poised performance.
The victory marked Auburn's eighth season with at least 23 wins in program history and the fourth time in the last seven seasons. Additionally, it secured a winning road record in SEC play for the third time in seven seasons, underscoring the team's consistency and resilience throughout the campaign.
Auburn's dominance was evident throughout the game, as they secured their 13th win by at least 20 points this season, the most in the SEC. The team's efficiency was highlighted by their shooting percentage of 52.3%, marking the ninth time they shot over 50% in a game this season.
In the post-game analysis, Pearl reflected on Auburn's performance, stating, "It was great to see Aden Holloway play with great confidence...That’s one of the better games Aden has played on the road. I’m really happy for the way he’s playing well right now." Holloway's emergence adds depth to Auburn's backcourt and provides a promising outlook for the team as they prepare for postseason play.
With the regular season finale against Georgia looming, Auburn looks to carry the momentum from their road victory into Neville Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, as the Tigers aim to conclude the season on a high note and build momentum heading into postseason competition.
