AUBURN, Ala. — In a strong display at home, the No. 2 ranked Auburn Tigers triumphed over Richmond, posting a decisive score of 98-54 on Sunday. Miles Kelly and Tahaad Pettiford were standout performers, each contributing 15 points to the team’s victory.
Following a challenging defeat against Duke, Auburn (8-1) showcased its offensive depth with six players hitting double figures. Chad Baker-Mazara added 13 points, complemented by six rebounds and five assists. Denver Jones, with his sharpshooting skills, was able to drain three 3-pointers, rounding out his efforts with 11 points. Johni Broome made a significant impact on both ends of the court, scoring 11 points alongside six assists and two blocked shots, while Jahki Howard marked a personal best with 13 points.
Richmond (4-5) saw its leading scorer, Mikkel Tyne, net 16 points. Dusan Neskovic contributed 12 points, and DeLonnie Hunt chipped in with 10 points, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with the Tigers.
The Spiders have faced challenges this season, particularly in replacing key players after winning the Atlantic 10 regular-season title last year. Early struggles have been evident in their offensive play, marked by difficulty in handling Auburn’s size and strength, and they recorded a mere 20% from beyond the arc.
Coach Bruce Pearl’s squad maintained control throughout the match, utilizing their first home game in 20 days effectively. Richmond had difficulty managing Broome, who attracted repeated double teams, allowing Auburn to exploit open shots through their inside-out offensive strategy.
A significant moment came when Auburn surged ahead with a commanding 13-2 run in the first half, setting the tone for the game. Another critical statistic emerged from the matchup; after a disappointing performance against Duke where they forced only four turnovers, Auburn rebounded impressively by tallying 15 takeaways against Richmond, converting those into 18 points.
Looking ahead, Auburn is set to face Ohio State next Saturday in Atlanta, while Richmond will host Belmont on the same day.
