AUBURN, Ala. - The No. 1 Auburn Tigers (20-1, 9-0) picked up a 98-70 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners (16-6, 3-6) Tuesday night in Neville Arena, with five Tigers scoring in double figures.
Johni Broome and Chad Baker-Mazara led the Tigers with 15 points each. The team shot a sizzling 52.5% from the field and racked up 19 assists compared to seven turnovers, leading to one of the more efficient offensive nights of the season. The Tigers' 98 points were their best in conference play this season, surpassing the mark they set in their last contest against Ole Miss (92).
“We love each other and love sharing the ball,” Auburn senior guard Denver Jones said. “We respect each other’s game on this team, and I think that’s a big reason why we’re so good.”
Johni Broome once again stuffed the stat sheet for the Tigers, recording six assists and five boards to accompany his team-high in points. The star center also recorded three blocks and a steal on the defensive end as he continues to gather National Player of the Year attention.
Auburn’s defensive performance was a bit overshadowed by their impressive offensive output, but the Tigers still recorded 11 blocks and nine steals to hold a daunting Oklahoma offense to its season-low field goal percentage (33%). Tigers' senior center and crowd favorite Dylan Cardwell led the defensive push for the Tigers, recording six blocks and pumping up the crowd after each one.
“I wouldn’t make too much about what we did offensively, other than the fact that we shared it,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. “But, the fact that we held them [to season low in field goal percentage], to me, that would be the story.”
Oklahoma is one of the better offensive units in the nation, ranking first in the SEC in field goal percentage, but the Tigers stifled them and kept them well off of their season mark. Sooners' dynamic duo Jalon Moore and Jeremiah Fears were held well below their season averages for points per game and in the plus-minus category. The Tigers swarming defense and incredibly efficient offense is a testament to why they are ranked No. 1 in the country.
This game marked the first Quad Two or less game for the Tigers since they narrowly escaped Columbia, South Carolina, with a 66-63 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Tigers lead the nation in Quad-One victories and will have an opportunity to add to their total when they host the No. 6 Florida Gators on Saturday. As for Oklahoma, they will be back in action in Norman against the No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday.
Tipoff for the Tigers and Gators on Saturday is set for 3 p.m. on ESPN. Dan Shulman and Jay Bilas will make their second trip to the Plains to see another No. 1 vs No. 6 matchup in Neville Arena.
