Auburn wins Hawaii tournament

November 27, 2024 – HAWAII - the Auburn University men's basketball team defeated Memphis in the championship game of the Maui Invitational tournament. Auburn, the number four team in the country, improves to 7 and 0 on the season – including three wins against top 15 teams.

Auburn defeated Memphis 90 to 76. Auburn got out to an early lead over Memphis winning the first half of the game 47 to 31. Memphis got its offense on track in the second half; but never could stop Auburn. Both teams scored 45 points in the second half.

Auburn 6-10 senior forward/center Johni Broome has played outstanding throughout this tournament and that continued on Wednesday night. Broome had a frenetic 21 points and 16 rebounds in the win for the Tigers. 15 of those points and 11 of his rebounds were in the first half alone. He had a stellar all-around game that included 6 assists and 4 blocks. Memphis had no answer for Johni Broome who shot over 50 percent from the field.

6-11 senior center Dylan Cardwell had eight shots – and made all eight to add another 18 points to Auburn's total. Cardwell also had 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and a steal.

6-7 senior guard Chad Baker-Mazara added 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists; while 6-4 senior guard Denver Jones contributed 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Auburn is the 25th team to win the Maui Invitational in their second appearance in the tournament.

"I would say we got pretty dominant play from our bigs," said Auburn men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl. "I am just happy for these guys because they love playing together."

"I believe we have the best frontline in college basketball," Pearl added.

Broome won the tournament MVP. Broome was originally a three-star recruit that went to Morehead State. He eventually transferred to Auburn through the portal.

"I came to Auburn because I saw what Coach Pearl was doing with the program," said Broome. "I look forward to keep winning and helping my team win in any way that I can."

"All glory to God – Jesus Christ, my Lord and savior," said Cardwell. "It is great playing with Jahni, it is a blessing to have him on my team and it is a blessing to have him as a brother."

"We are just a tough scout," said Cardwell. "Coach Pearl brought in some guys, so when you are scouting us you don't know who to stop."

Broome said that he has watched the Maui Tournament for years and that it was the best tournament in the country outside of March madness.

"For me I watched it plenty of time growing up," said Broome. ""To win it feels amazing. I always talk about my teammates and coaches, but the Auburn family is really a family. It feels better to win it with the guys in the locker room who have been grinding all year."

It doesn't get any easier for the Tigers from here. On Wednesday December 4 they play Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. On December 8 they play Richmond at home in Auburn.

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