ATLANTA, Ga. - The No. 2 Auburn Tigers improved to 9-1 on the season with a dominant 91-53 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in Atlanta behind a historic performance by star center Johni Broome.
Broome, the frontrunner for National Player of the Year, finished with 21 points, 20 rebounds and six assists, leading the Tigers in all categories. He also showcased his defensive prowess, logging three blocks and a steal to his stellar stat line. The All-American center became the first Auburn Tiger to record 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game since Kevin Ardister did it in 1989.
“Playing my hardest for my team,” Broome said. “The ball just came to me. I had rhythm. My teammates came to me and I was able to deliver.”
Aside from Broome, the Tigers had three players reach double figures in scoring in this one, Denver Jones (14) Jahki Howard (11) and Dylan Cardwell (10). Auburn’s rim protection was a major factor in this one, recording 13 blocks as a team, with Cardwell leading the way with four rejections. Cardwell, the ultimate energy player for Auburn, ignited the crowd with multiple huge dunks and blocks, constantly motioning to the crowd for more noise.
“That’s Auburn being Auburn right there,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. “Our Atlanta kids have done really well. Why wouldn’t you come to Auburn and play? I’m grateful for our fans.”
A bright spot for Ohio State was sophomore forward Devin Royal, who racked up 14 points and five rebounds. However, the Buckeyes were not able to get anything good going offensively, shooting 35% from the field and only pulling in 28 rebounds, compared to Auburn's 49. Auburn was also able to grab 16 offensive rebounds compared to the Buckeyes five.
It was a special day both on and off the court for some Auburn players, as Auburn held its Winter Commencement ceremony tonight. Johni Broome was one of the Auburn seniors that would receive his degree today, and he rushed back to the plains after the game to trade in his jersey for a cap and gown.
“It’s a special day, definitely one to remember,” Broome said. “Getting a 20-20, first time ever, and then going to graduation, that’s even better.”
This win marks Auburn’s fifth Quad One win in its first 10 games, nabbing wins over Houston, Iowa State, North Carolina and Memphis before today’s blowout victory. The 38-point difference was the largest margin of victory for Auburn against a power conference opponent in school history.
The Tigers will be back in action Tuesday in Neville Arena against the Georgia State Panthers. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on SECN+ and on the ESPN app. You can also listen along on the Auburn Sports Network.
