AUBURN, Ala. — In a Monday night matchup, Auburn showcased its power by overcoming an early deficit to defeat Monmouth 87-58, thanks in part to Johni Broome’s double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, along with Dylan Cardwell’s contribution of 12 points and 11 boards.
The Tigers (12-1) struggled to find their rhythm after an eight-day gap between games, facing a surprising challenge from Monmouth (2-11). The Hawks held the lead for nearly the first seven minutes of the game. However, Chaney Johnson stepped up and scored eight of his twelve points in a quick flurry, helping shift the momentum in favor of the Tigers.
By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, Auburn had established a comfortable 46-28 lead, marking a decisive turning point in the game. Chad Baker-Mazara also contributed to the scoring with an additional 13 points. On the visiting side, Abdi Bashir Jr. led Monmouth with 15 points while teammate Jaret Valencia added 13.
In terms of key takeaways, Monmouth, despite having only two victories this season, managed to secure a notable win against Seton Hall and presented competitive quarters against teams such as Wichita State, Rutgers, and now Auburn. For Auburn, slow starts are uncommon, but they proved capable of dominating the floor for the majority of the game despite their initial struggles.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred after Monmouth managed to tie the score at 28 with 6:32 remaining in the first half. Auburn embarked on a remarkable 18-0 run to close the half, which effectively broke the Hawks’ momentum.
A noteworthy statistic from the game is that this victory marked Auburn’s ninth consecutive season without a loss at home in non-conference action. The Tigers have now achieved a remarkable record of 60 consecutive non-conference home victories, the longest active streak in the nation.
Looking ahead, Auburn is set to begin its SEC season with a matchup against Missouri at home on Saturday, while Monmouth will return to its own court on Thursday for its CAA opener against Stony Brook.
