Auburn thrashes Queens before beginning SEC schedule

Field Level Media|published: Tue 30th December, 24:32 2025

Auburn Tigers huddle during early warm ups befpore the Queens University of Charlotte game at Neville Arena on the Auburn University campus in Auburn, Ala., on Monday evening December 29, 2025.

Keyshawn Hall's 16 first-half points helped host Auburn blow away Queens University 106-65 on Monday night in the Tigers' final tune-up before Southeastern Conference play.

Elyjah Freeman led all scorers with a career-high 27 points off the bench, going a perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point range, while Kevin Overton chipped in 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting and five 3-pointers for Auburn (9-4). Hall finished with 18 points, five assists, five rebounds and two steals.

Tahaad Pettiford struggled again from the field -- 1-for-8 -- but padded the statsheet with a career-high nine assists, four rebounds, two steals and a block.

Nasir Mann was the only player to finish in double figures for Queens (5-8), scoring 13 points.

The Royals came into the game averaging 10.8 3-point makes a game but struggled throughout, going just 2-for-15 (13.3%) and needing nearly 34 minutes to hit their first.

After a brief 7-0 run by the Royals to start the second half, the Tigers hit back-to-back 3-pointers and then a three-point play to push the lead back to 37 with 13:49 to play.

The Tigers got their first 40-point lead of the night after a pair of free throws from Freeman to make it 88-48 with 8:35 to play.

Freeman capped his big day with a 7-0 personal run that featured another deep 3. His free throws made the contest 97-58 with a little less than five minutes left.

The Tigers made a season-high 15 3-pointers, forced 14 turnovers and scored 24 points off those turnovers.

It was a barrage from 3-point range to start the game for the Tigers, who made four of their first five shots from behind the arc.

A four-point play by Overton and eight quick points from Hall helped Auburn usher a quick 22-4 lead with 14:14 left in the first half.

The Royals were stifled in nearly every facet in the first frame, making just seven field goals and shooting 29.2% from the field. Auburn forced 11 first-half turnovers.

The Tigers showed their tough defense as Hall got a steal, leading to a Murphy second-chance layup. Then, a block on the Royals' next possession turned into another Overton 3-pointer as Auburn ended the first half shooting 52.5% and with a 57-21 lead.

--Field Level Media