Auburn men's basketball team bests Purdue

December 25, 2024 – BIRMINGHAM, AL – Auburn's men basketball team improves to 11 and 1 with an impressive win over number 16 Purdue 87 to 69 in Birmingham. The number two team in the nation, Auburn next plays Monmouth (10-2) on December 30, before entering SEC play.

Senior Center/Forward Johni Broome showed why he is regarded as one of the best players in the country. Broome, a powerful 6-10 presence in the post, can also shoot from beyond the arc and is Auburn's team assist leader.

Broome led the Tigers with 23 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, a shot block, and a steal.

This was Broome's eighth double-double of the season.

6-1 Freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford poured in 18 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and a block in a performance that was double his season scoring average.

6-4 senior Guard Denver Jones scored another 15 points while adding 4 assists and a rebound.

Auburn head Coach Bruce Pearl picked up his 211th win at Auburn. He should pass Auburn legend Joel Eaves in early January. Eaves won 213 games in his 14 seasons as the Tigers' head coach. Pearl should eclipse the mark in what is just his 11th season on the Plains.

Auburn is #2 to in the AP poll to the Tennessee Volunteers.

Auburn is 11 and 1 overall and 4 and 1 against top 25 teams. The Tigers' only loss came to number 4 Duke.

The top ten with first-place votes in parentheses are:

1. Tennessee (41) 11-0

2. Auburn (21) 11-1

3. Iowa St. 10-1

4. Duke 10-2

5. Alabama 10-2

6. Florida 12-0

7. Kansas 9-2

8. Marquette 11-2

9. Oregon 11-1

10. Kentucky 10-2

There are five SEC teams in the top ten; although number ten Kentucky lost in blowout fashion to Ohio State. Ohio State was coming off of a 38 point loss to Auburn.

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