Auburn comes from behind in Hawaii

November 26, 2024 – HAWAII – the Auburn Tigers basketball team defeated Iowa State in in an invitational tournament played in the island state. The Tigers at one point trailed by 18 points to the number four team in the country; but Auburn is the number four team in the country for a reason. Auburn came storming back to win 83 to 81 when Johni Broome tipped the ball in for the game winning shot.

Broome, a 6-10 senior, had 21 points and ten rebounds to lead the Tigers in the victory.

"We are very proud of the history of Auburn basketball," said Auburn Men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl. "This is our second top five win in the nonconference in the history of Auburn basketball. Not since 1990 when Kansas did it, has a team started 5 and 0 including two top five wins. So to this point we have made history; but we are not celebrating."

"This was a really good Iowa State team," said Pearl. "To put 49 points on us in the first half. We did not play well; but they played great. The guys did a good job at half time kind at getting after each other and not quitting."

Auburn trailed 49 to 33 at halftime. To win Auburn outscored Iowa State 32 to 50 in the second half.

"One thing I was very proud of for these guys is they trust each other," said Pearl. "They each took turns stepping up. That there is as good a win as you are going to see and as good a game. I am proud of my team and our coaching staff."

Chad Baker-Mazara added 18 points. Tahaad Pettiford scored 14 and both Miles Kelly and Denver Jones scored 12 points.

Under Pearl Auburn has achieved success at a level it has never reached before......including a trip to the final four and multiple players taken in the top 15 picks in the NBA draft. Auburn has won the SEC tournament and the regular season in Pearl's tenure on the Plains. Pearl has 662 coaching wins in his career (49th alltime).

Former State Rep. Perry O. Hooper Jr. is a prominent Auburn booster. Two of his three sons played football at Auburn, The third played at South Carolina. He is also good friends with Coach Pearl.

"Coach Bruce Pearl has definitely put a Championship Basketball team together," said Hooper. "They are undefeated and have beat two top 5 teams in the nation. That is straight up AU-some."

Auburn plays number 12 North Carolina tonight at 10:00 p.m. on ESPN.

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