AUBURN, Ala. — In their season opener on Wednesday night, the 11th-ranked Auburn Tigers demonstrated their dominance with a resounding 94-43 victory against Vermont.
The standout performance came from Miles Kelly, who scored 21 points, while Denver Jones contributed 16. Chaney Johnson was also pivotal, achieving 13 points and grabbing nine rebounds. This win extends Auburn’s impressive streak to 55 consecutive non-conference home victories. At halftime, the Tigers had a commanding 25-point lead and started the second half with a staggering 35-4 run. Kelly, a transfer from Georgia Tech, excelled with seven three-pointers, surpassing any player’s performance in a single game for Auburn last season.
For Vermont, Seth Joba was the top scorer with eight points, followed by Illeri Ayo-Faleye with seven. This result marked one of the lowest scoring games for the Catamounts under the leadership of 14-year head coach John Becker, tying their previous record with just 43 points.
The Catamounts faced a quick turnaround after their laborious victory over UAB just two days prior. Vermont typically emphasizes a systematic and efficient offensive approach, but Auburn’s athleticism and length disrupted their half-court game throughout the match.
On the other hand, Auburn seems poised to maintain their defensive prowess, as they led all of Division I last season in effective field goal percentage against. The Tigers also showcased their shooting skills with a collaborative effort from five different players contributing to a total of 16 three-pointers made.
A highlight moment came when Kelly made a remarkable impact late in the game, nailing five consecutive threes in under four minutes, eliciting excitement from the crowd at Neville Arena.
Despite being known for their low turnover rate—having committed just five in their opener against UAB—Vermont struggled against Auburn’s defense, leading to 16 turnovers that resulted in 25 points for the Tigers.
As they look ahead, Vermont will try to regroup as they continue their road trip with a match against Merrimack on Saturday. Meanwhile, Auburn is set to travel to Houston, where they will take on the 4th-ranked Cougars at the Toyota Center.