AUBURN, Ala. — In a commanding performance on Tuesday night, the top-ranked Auburn Tigers clinched an impressive 88-66 victory over the No. 15 Mississippi State in their first outing since losing standout center Johni Broome.
Chad Baker-Mazara led the charge by scoring 20 points, while Chaney Johnson, who stepped into the starting lineup for Broome, contributed significantly with 17 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. Auburn improved to 16-1 overall and maintained its perfect 4-0 stand in the Southeastern Conference. Broome remains sidelined indefinitely due to a left ankle sprain he suffered in a recent game against South Carolina.
Baker-Mazara displayed exceptional shooting, going 8 of 11 from the field, including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. Additional support came from Miles Kelly and Denver Jones, both chipping in 13 points, while Tahaad Pettiford scored 12. Conversely, Mississippi State struggled offensively, shooting just 35% for the game. Josh Hubbard led the Bulldogs with 17 points but faced difficulties, finishing only 2 of 12 from the field.
This season, Mississippi State has shown improvement under Coach Chris Jans, especially on the offensive end, but their shooting has remained inconsistent. The Bulldogs’ performance from three-point range was particularly disappointing, making only three of their 24 attempts.
For Auburn, this game served as a testament to the team’s resilience and depth. Head coach Bruce Pearl emphasized the need for each player to elevate their game in Broome’s absence, and on Tuesday night, they certainly rose to the occasion.
Auburn set an aggressive tone from the get-go, launching into a 10-0 run, largely fueled by Baker-Mazara, who scored the last eight points of that stretch. A standout statistic from the first half highlighted Auburn’s defensive dominance; the Tigers recorded nine blocks, which matched the number of field goals made by Mississippi State during that period, allowing them to establish a significant 19-point lead heading into halftime.
Looking ahead, Auburn is scheduled to face No. 23 Georgia on Saturday, while Mississippi State will host No. 21 Mississippi.
