In their opening round game of the 2024 Maui Invitational, the Auburn Tigers made some history.
For the first time in school history, Auburn knocks off two top five teams in the same season. First it was Houston on Nov. 9, and the next notch in their belt is No. 5 Iowa State, winning 83-81.
Trailing the Cyclones by 16 points at halftime, the tigers stormed back in the second half sparked by 18 points from Chad Baker-Mazara and a team-high 21 points from Johni Broome, including the game-winning tip-in with seconds remaining.
Iowa State shot 47% from the floor as a team led by Keshon Gilbert’s 23 points.
Before facing the winner of North Carolina and Dayton in the Maui nightcap, here are three takeaways from Monday’s game:
Iowa State defense flusters Auburn early
Iowa State entered Monday night’s contest with one of the nation’s best defenses. That showed up once again by forcing seven on Auburn in the first half.
The Cyclones scored 11 points off of the Tigers turnovers and outscored them 14-3 on fastbreak points. Auburn shot 29% from 3-point range only hitting four in the first half.
Tahaad Pettiford and Broome combined for 20 points in the first half. However, Iowa State had five players with seven or more points going into the break.
Second half scoring heroics lead to victory
Auburn started the second half outscoring Iowa State 24-11 to cut its deficit to just one possession. The Tigers took their first lead in the game’s final four minutes on a pair of Denver Jones free throws.
Pettiford finished with 14 points off the bench. Jones and Miles Kelly came alive combined for 24 points after a slow start in the first half.
Ja’Heim Hudson returns to court, no Jahki Howard
After serving a three-game suspension for his role in the physical altercation during a team flight, Ja’Heim Hudson saw action against Iowa State.
Hudson played four minutes in the first half finishing with a rebound and an assist.
Jahki Howard who was also suspended, saw no playing time for the third straight game. He has not seen action since the season-opener.
Auburn plays the winner of North Carolina and Dayton on Tuesday at 10 p.m. on ESPN.
