NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Denver Jones scored 21 factors as No. 1 Auburn held off Vanderbilt 80-68 on Tuesday evening to keep away from the Tigers’ first shedding skid of the season.
Now Auburn (22-2, 10-1) goes into Saturday’s large showdown for the highest of the Southeastern Convention standings, supremacy within the state of Alabama and the highest of the AP Prime 25. The Tigers got here into Tuesday evening tied with No. 2 Alabama in league play.
Chaney Johnson completed with 20 factors for Auburn, and Johni Broome had 17.
The Tigers scored the primary 15 factors as they snapped again from their residence loss to Florida final weekend. Vanderbilt rallied and eventually hit its first 3 on the Commodores’ ninth strive seconds earlier than halftime to tug to 34-32.
Vanderbilt (17-7, 5-6) took its first lead with a 3 by Jason Edwards early within the second. The Commodores final led 49-48 on a putback by Chris Manon.
Auburn answered with a 12-2 run to squelch Vanderbilt’s hopes at its greatest win this season.
Edwards completed with 13 factors for Vanderbilt. AJ Hoggard and Devin McGlockton every added 10. McGlockton additionally grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.
Takeaways
Auburn: The Tigers stay undefeated in league play away from residence to start out a two-game street swing. Additionally they improved to 14-0 in opposition to unranked opponents.
Vanderbilt: The Commodores are 2-3 in opposition to Prime 25 groups with this their first loss at Memorial Fitness center as they now are 12-2 at residence this season.
Key second
Johnson took management again for Auburn with a 3 as he scored 9 straight to offer the Tigers a 57-49 lead with 11:38 left.
Key stat
Auburn turned it over simply twice within the second half and completed with eight.
Up subsequent
Rivalry Saturday as Auburn visits Alabama and Vanderbilt goes to No. 5 Tennessee.
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