Jaylin Williams, No. 16 Auburn dismantle Vanderbilt

Field Level Media|published: Wed 31st January, 23:29 2024

Jan 31, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Ezra Manjon (5) takes a shot over Auburn Tigers guard Chaney Johnson (31) during the first half at Neville Arena. credits: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Jaylin Williams scored 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting to help No. 16 Auburn roll to an easy 81-54 victory over visiting Vanderbilt in Southeastern Conference play on Wednesday night.

Denver Jones scored a season-best 19 points and Johni Broome recorded 16 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots for Auburn (17-4, 6-2 SEC), which halted a two-game slide. Chad Baker-Mazara added 11 points for the Tigers, who never trailed and improved to 11-0 at home.

Williams scored 21 points in both Auburn victories over the Commodores this season. He is 14 of 16 from the field.

Ven-Allen Lubin had season highs of 17 points and 12 rebounds and added a career-best five blocked shots for Vanderbilt (5-15, 0-7), which lost its seventh straight game and 14th in the past 16. Evan Taylor scored 14 points and Tyrin Lawrence put up 12 points for the Commodores, who are 0-5 on the road.

Auburn shot 44.4 percent from the field, including 10 of 26 (38.5 percent) from 3-point range.

The Commodores connected on just 26.8 percent of their attempts and were 4 of 17 (23.5 percent) from behind the arc.

Auburn led by 10 at halftime and quickly expended the lead to 19. Baker-Mazara scored five points during a 9-2 run that saw the Tigers take a 51-32 lead with 15:20 left in the game.

Vanderbilt moved within 12 on Lubin's basket with 10:19 left before Williams scored eight points and Jones had four during a 12-2 spurt as Auburn increased its lead to 66-44 with 7:37 remaining.

The Tigers led by as many as 31 down the stretch.

Jones scored 10 first-half points and Auburn held a 37-27 lead at the break. Lutin had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the half for Vanderbilt, which missed 20 of its first 23 shots before ending up at 24.1 percent (7 of 29) over the 20 minutes.

Vanderbilt was within seven before the Tigers scored seven points on one trip down the floor.

Broome swished a 3-pointer and the Commodores' Jordan Williams sent Baker-Mazara flying to the ground while the ball was in the air. Williams was flagged for a flagrant foul — giving Auburn two free throws plus possession of the ball.

Baker-Mazara made the foul shots and Broome added a basket five seconds later to give Auburn a 33-19 lead with 2:31 to play in the half. K.D. Johnson added two free throws with 1:32 left to give the Tigers a half-best, 16-point lead.

—Field Level Media