AUBURN, Ala. — In a dominating performance, Johni Broome led the No. 4 ranked Auburn Tigers to a decisive 102-69 victory over North Alabama on Monday night, scoring 30 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. The team’s record now stands at 4-0 for the season, with Denver Jones contributing 13 points and a personal best of nine assists. Both Chad Baker-Mazara and Miles Kelly added 12 points each to the scoreline.

Auburn faced some challenges early in the game, trailing on two occasions during the first half. However, the team regained control as the half progressed, thanks particularly to Broome, who scored 16 of his points within the last 7:35 of the first half.

For the Lions (3-2), Jacari Lane was the standout player, leading his team with 16 points, while Daniel Ortiz and Will Soucie chipped in with 15 points each. Despite their strong offensive start, North Alabama struggled to maintain their performance against one of the nation’s more formidable defenses. Coach Tony Pujol’s squad, known for their impressive scoring in earlier games, showcased an improved offensive strategy this season.

A pivotal moment in the match came when North Alabama briefly took the lead with a three-pointer at the 5:12 mark of the first half. Broome quickly responded, scoring seven consecutive points, which initiated an 18-4 run that ended with Auburn taking a commanding double-digit lead into halftime.

Looking at the statistics, Broome’s 30 points matched his personal best during his tenure at Auburn. Previously, he had scored 32 points against Murray State while playing for Morehead State in March 2022.

Auburn will have a break before their next matchup against the No. 5 Iowa State in the Maui Invitational next Monday. Meanwhile, North Alabama gears up to face Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday in Natchitoches, Louisiana.