In a matchup of two coaches rated in the top five in lifetime SEC wins, Bruce Pearl and the Auburn Tigers continue to find ways to win.
No. 1 Auburn basketball won a hard-fought game against Arkansas 67-60.
Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, but the Tigers’ physicality and tenacity helped them clinch their 12th conference win of the season.
“It was going to be a struggle, because Arkansas is so good defensively and such a great rim protecting team,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said postgame. “And our offense left a lot to be desired tonight. Not a good offensive night for Auburn at all.”
Auburn is now 24-2 this season and 12-1 in SEC play.
Here are three takeaways from Wednesday’s contest inside Neville arena:
Turnover filled first half
Auburn came out the gate sloppy with the basketball committing seven early turnovers to start the game. Arkansas was just as careless with five of their own as the Tigers held a six-point lead at the break.
18 of the Razorbacks first half points came from inside the paint as they only hit one 3-pointer.
The Tigers drained four shots from beyond the arc and outscored Arkansas 13-4 in bench points. With the Razorbacks defense frustrating the Tigers starters early, Tahaad Pettiford sparked a 9-0 run to help give the Tigers the halftime lead.
Arkansas finished the game with 11 total turnovers to the Tigers 12.
“I just thought we were sloppy in some of our passes and didn’t execute,” Pearl said.
Johni Broome, Chad Baker-Mazara chasing history
Despite coming off the bench for a third straight game, Chad Baker-Mazara scored 1,000 career points as an Auburn Tiger.
Mazara finished the night with 15 points receiving a standing ovation from the home crowd after his point total was announced.
Johni Broome led the game with 16 points and 13 rebounds reaching his 16th double-double on the season. Broome is now up to 76 career double-doubles, second most among active Division I players.
Arkansas fought hard, Tigers frontcourt to dominant
Arkansas played a brilliant game against Tigers with four players finishing in double figures. Florida Atlantic transfer Johnell Davis came out aggressive with 14 points.
Leading scorer Adou Theiro led the Razorbacks with 16 points as Karter Knox and Dj Wagner combined for 22 points.
Just like his performance vs. Vanderbilt, Chaney Johnson put the Tigers on his back in the second half scoring 12 of his 14 total points.
Even with Zvonimir Ivisic down low for Arkansas, Auburn outrebounded the Razorbacks 42-29. The Tigers defense held Ivisic scoreless the entire game.
