AUBURN, Ala. — Johni Broome delivered an impressive performance, scoring a season-high 31 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, leading the top-ranked Auburn team to an 82-70 victory over Georgia on Saturday.

For the second consecutive game, Auburn (25-2, 13-1 SEC) faced a challenging match against an unranked rival, but managed to pull away in the closing moments.

Broome showcased his skills in the second half, contributing a crucial streak of seven consecutive points for the Tigers. This double-double marked his 17th of the season.

Denver Jones supported the team with 17 points, while both Chad Baker-Mazara and Miles Kelly chipped in with 11 points each.

On the other side, Asa Newell led the Bulldogs (16-11, 4-10) with 20 points, while Silas Demary Jr. added 18 to their efforts.

Takeaways from the game reflect Georgia’s ongoing challenges with their offense, particularly in away games this season. A sluggish first half didn’t help their cause, but the Bulldogs exhibited improved scoring efficiency against Auburn after halftime, suggesting potential momentum for Mike White’s squad moving forward.

Meanwhile, Auburn’s performance has been unique; surprisingly, the SEC leaders have demonstrated superior shooting on the road compared to their home games within the conference. The Tigers will be eager to reinvigorate their offensive strategy for the final two games at Neville Arena.

A pivotal moment arrived when a series of four technical fouls—two on each side—disrupted the flow of the game. Following this, Auburn embarked on a 7-2 run, highlighted by a thrilling fast-break where Dylan Cardwell made a steal and threw the ball the length of the court to Broome. Broome then assisted Baker-Mazara for an easy layup.

A key statistic from Broome’s performance is particularly noteworthy; after missing the earlier matchup against Georgia in January due to an ankle injury, he finished the second half an impressive 7 for 7 from the field.

Looking ahead, Georgia is set to return home to face No. 2 Florida on Tuesday, while Auburn will host No. 24 Ole Miss on Wednesday.