In a high-stakes college basketball matchup, Auburn University demonstrated a strong performance against Chattanooga, leading with a shooting percentage of 65% from the floor and a score of 27-11 nine minutes into the game. The team maintained their dominance with a significant lead of 66-37 with 11:54 remaining, with standout player Chad Baker-Mazara contributing 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting and the team excelling in rebounding with a +16 advantage. Looking ahead, Auburn's head coach Bruce Pearl acknowledged the challenge of opening SEC play at Arkansas, noting the difficulty of the venue and the improvements in Arkansas' offensive capabilities over the previous year. As the game against Arkansas commenced, Auburn faced an early setback, trailing 11-5, but managed to even the score at 12-12. Despite initial shooting struggles, particularly shooting 1-8 from deep, Auburn's bench, including Baker-Mazara, played a significant role in stabilizing the team's performance, contributing 21 bench points. Auburn showcased their strength inside with a +6 rebounding advantage and led in points in the paint by +8. The first half continued to be competitive with Auburn narrowly leading 20-18 at one point, but Arkansas regained a slight edge at 27-26 shortly before halftime, with Arkansas experiencing offensive struggles outside of key players Menifield and Brazile.
Auburn's second unit is crushing Arkansas. Tigers with 21 bench points compared to just 5 for the Hogs.
HOOPS » Arkansas up on Auburn, 27-26. Tigers are shooting better after a slow start, but the Hogs have been better from long range. Good game so far. https://t.co/HpSmMnjc61
3:52 1H | Arkansas 27, #Auburn 26 CBM is heading to the line when we're back. He's still got a team-high 7 points.
Chad Baker-Mazara checks into the game, immediately gets a stop and drives to earn a trip to the free throw line on the other end this dude is fearless Auburn trails Arkansas by 1 with 3:52 left in the first half
Arkansas is now 1-for-5 from the free throw line after Menifield misses a pair. Auburn leads 24-22 with 5:43 left in the first half.
7:56 1H | #Auburn 20, Arkansas 18 It's all Tigers on the interior right now. They're plus-6 on the boards (plus-5 on the offensive glass) and they're out-scoring Arkansas 14-6 in the paint.
HOOPS » Auburn leads Arkansas, 20-18. Tigers were excellent in transition during that last segment — two buckets from Tre and another from Aden. Rebounding also excellent on both ends of the floor. https://t.co/HpSmMnjc61
Auburn has 14 points in the paint, is +6 on the boards and leads Arkansas 20-18 (7:56 1H).
Auburn leads Arkansas 20-18 at the U-8 timeout. Hogs have had very little offense outside of Menifield and Brazile, while Auburn already has 6 offensive rebounds but just 4 second-chance points.
what do you do when you're shooting 1-8 from deep? you make things count on the inside Auburn is +6 in rebounds — Arkansas only has one offensive board so far — and +8 in points in the paint Tigers lead by 2 with 7:56 left in the first half
11:31 1H | Arkansas 12, #Auburn 12 Tiger bench has nine of their team's points. Seven of those belong to Chad Baker-Mazara. The shooting numbers are still quite ugly, but it looks like #Auburn's settling in a bit.
HOOPS » Auburn and Arkansas are SQUARE at 12 points apiece @ 11:31/1st. Tigers on a 5-1 run. Chad Baker-Mazara playing with a ton of effort and enthusiasm on both ends of the floor. He's been terrific. https://t.co/HpSmMnjc61
14:41 1H | Arkansas 11, #Auburn 5 Razorbacks are on an 8-0 run the past 64 seconds. Tigers are 2-11 from the field and 0-5 from 3. The last time the Tigers lost, they struggled to make shots on the road.
that's an 8-0 run in a hurry for Arkansas, and Bruce Pearl calls a timeout with 14:41 left in the first half Arkansas is now 3-6 from deep, Auburn is 0-5 when Arkansas has lost this season, teams have been able to get good 2s against them so far, the Tigers are shooting long
#Auburn's usuals will start things off in Arkansas: G Aden Holloway; G Denver Jones; F Chris Moore; F Jaylin Williams; C Johni Broome Tipoff's less than 20 minutes away.
Auburn HC Bruce Pearl on Arkansas: "Outstanding offensive team. They're better offensively than they were last year... They're quicker in the backcourt. They're faster. And they shoot it better, which was their Achilles heel last year." adds that Auburn's challenge is on defense
Hearing from Bruce Pearl ahead of No. 25 #Auburn's trip to Arkansas on Saturday. "Seems like we play Arkansas early in the SEC all the time, whether it be here or there. Probably not a tougher place to open."
Bruce Pearl: "There's probably not a tougher place to open (SEC play)" than Arkansas.
HOOPS » With 11:54 to go, Auburn leads Chattanooga 66-37. Chad Baker-Mazara has 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting so far. Auburn is +16 rebounding. https://t.co/q4AcHpHZxe
Auburn is shooting 65% from the floor and leads Chattanooga 27-11 nine minutes into the game.