By Ken Cross
ATLANTA –
Pouncing Sparty: Auburn power forward Johni Broome scored 11 points in the first 9:31 as his ability to use a solid contingent of post moves led the Auburn Tigers a 23-8 lead over Michigan State with 10:20 remaining in the first half. His presence opened Miles Kelly for seven points in the stretch as Tahaad Pettiford nailed a triple from the right top to give Auburn an 18-8 lead.
Injury Clearence: Auburn led 50-40 when Broome went down with an elbow injury and was out of the game for 5:13. When he came back into the game, Broome promptly rang up a three off fo the right wing to give the Tigers a 60-48 margin. Chaney Johnson helped to push the Tigers lead to double digits late in the game. Johnson scored off of the right side twice and Chad Baker-Mazara nailed a triple for a 57-46 lead with 6:29 remaining.
Never Relent: When on the battle field, Spartans never go down without their shields. The metaphorical shields of Michigan State’s Spartans were missing in defeat as Auburn held MSU to 34.4 percent from the floor. Jaxon Kohler proliferated his shield as he finished with 17 points on a myraid of post moves while guard Jaden Akins added 15. Michigan State outrebounded Auburn, 41-39, while playing with their aggressive style against the physical Tigers.
Key Statistics: Broome finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds while Baker-Mazara tallied five assists against zero turnovers in 32 minutes. Neither team was able to get rhythm inside of their three-point games with Auburn making 7-of-25 while Sparty sat at 7-of-23. Akins, Michigan State’s leading scorer, scored 11 of the Spartans’ last 14 points.
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, on losing Broome to the second half injury: “When Johni went out, I immediately thought about Chaney and Dylan, and neither of them went into foul trouble. I knew that we were going to be fine there. I might have timeouts to be able to give them the time they need.”
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo on facing Auburn: “I’m sure it will feel better in a couple days. I give a lot of credit to Auburn. I think they’re well coached. I think they did a good job. I think Broome is the real deal, does things kind of effortlessly.”