AUBURN, Ala. – Johni Broome played a pivotal role in leading top-ranked Auburn to a commanding 106-76 victory over Mississippi on Wednesday night, netting an impressive 24 points. Chad Baker-Mazara made a significant contribution as well, tallying 22 points for the Tigers. Auburn, who recently experienced cold shooting streaks in their home games, found their rhythm again by successfully converting 11 out of 21 attempts from beyond the arc.
Auburn’s offensive momentum started with a three-pointer from Baker-Mazara, who was a last-minute addition to the starting lineup due to an undisclosed issue. Supporting the scoring efforts, Denver Jones, Miles Kelly, and Chaney Johnson each added 13 points to the scoreboard for Auburn. Broome, who is a top contender for the national player of the year, also contributed nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, impacting both ends of the court.
On the opposing side, Ole Miss, which holds a record of 19-9 and 8-7 in the SEC, was led by Sean Pedulla’s 14 points and Jaemyn Brakefield’s 13 points. However, they struggled to counteract Auburn’s dominant presence, particularly in the frontcourt. The Rebels, known as one of the shorter teams in major college basketball, couldn’t find a way to effectively slow down Auburn’s offensive surge in this rematch.
For Auburn, the strategy of a strong offensive start paid off as they quickly established a 29-9 lead, showcasing a remarkable 6-of-7 performance from the three-point line. Although Ole Miss managed to narrow the gap during the first half, Auburn maintained their composure and momentum, ultimately securing the win decisively after halftime.
Statistically, the game revealed an unusual outcome where Ole Miss committed 10 turnovers compared to Auburn’s eight, marking the first instance this season where the Rebels had more turnovers than their opponent.
Looking ahead, Ole Miss will host Oklahoma on Saturday, hoping to regain their footing. Auburn, on the other hand, prepares for their upcoming visit to face No. 17 Kentucky, aiming to continue their strong performance.
