At this point in the college hoops season, it would be easy for highly ranked teams such as Auburn to look ahead to big name opponents.
With a showdown vs. No. 16 Purdue just days away, it would make sense if Auburn came out sluggish or flippant. Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl didn’t have to worry about that
Auburn improves to 10-1 on the season after capturing its fifth victory at home, rolling past Georgia State 100-59.
Next the Tigers will play No. 16 Purdue inside Legacy Arena in Birmingham.
Auburn closes out the calendar year with its final non-conference game at home against Monmouth on Dec. 30.
Here are three takeaways from Tuesday’s game:
Johni Broome ruled out after shoulder injury
Broome played just two minutes in the first half before rushing into the locker room after scoring his first and only points of the game.
Despite being reevaluated at the halftime mark, Broome was ruled out of the game icing his shoulder on the bench. His status against Purdue is unknown at the moment.
No Broome, No Problem
With Auburn losing Broome so early in the game, Auburn depended on Dylan Cardwell and Chaney Johnson to carry most of the load in the frontcourt.
Johnson came out firing with 10 first half points as Auburn dominated scoring 50 points in the paint. Auburn’s bench was also huge, outscoring Georgia State’s bench 35-15 in the game.
With Broome’s absence, Georgia State and Auburn finished with the same number of total rebounds. However, 20 Panthers turnovers led to 30 points from the Tigers adding to their double-digit lead.
Not the best shooting night but Tigers still dominate
Johnson led the game with 26 points followed by 19 from Chad Baker Mazara. Denver Jones’ five 3-point baskets led to his 17 points.
Auburn shot 36% from 3-point land with just four Tigers connecting from deep. As a team the Tigers shot 57% from the floor.
The Tigers will have two more games before hosting Missouri in their first SEC matchup of the year.
