Johni Broome's big 2nd half leads No. 16 Auburn past Ole Miss

Field Level Media|published: Sat 3rd February, 20:22 2024

Feb 3, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Auburn Tigers guard Tre Donaldson (3) drives to the basket during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. credits: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Johni Broome scored all 15 of his points in the second half and No. 16 Auburn surged past Ole Miss 91-77 on Saturday night in Oxford, Miss.

Jaylin Williams scored 16 points, Chad Baker-Mazara had 15, Denver Jones and K.D. Johnson had 11 each and Tre Donaldson 10.

Broome added nine rebounds and seven assists.

The Tigers (18-4, 7-2 SEC) easily overcame a nine-point halftime deficit by outscoring the Rebels (18-4, 5-4), 56-33 in the second half. Auburn's bench outscored the Rebels' bench 24-0 after halftime and 36-8 for the game.

Allen Flanigan scored 20, Matthew Murrell had 18, Jaemyn Brakefield had 15 and Moussa Cisse 12 for Ole Miss, which lost at home for the first time this season after 13 wins.

Auburn, which defeated the visiting Rebels 82-59 two weeks ago, scored the first five points of the second half to get within 44-40.

Flanigan made a layup for Ole Miss' first points, but 3-pointers by Chris Moore and Baker-Mazare helped the Tigers take their first lead, 52-50.

The score was tied three times and the lead changed hands four times before baskets by Johnson and Williams gave Auburn a 64-60 lead midway through the half.

The Rebels pulled within one point twice before the Tigers increased the lead to 73-67 after Jones' 3-pointer.

Flanigan made two free throws, but Broome answered with three consecutive baskets, giving Auburn an 80-69 lead with 4:23 remaining.

The Rebels started quickly as Murrell and Flanigan made back-to-back 3-pointers to begin the scoring.

Donaldson made a 3-pointer for the Tigers' first points, but Ole Miss followed with three consecutive field goals for a 12-3 lead.

Auburn closed within five points on five occasions before Murrell had back-to-back baskets and Brakefield added a 3-pointer to push the lead to 34-22.

The Tigers made back-to-back layups before Murrell's 3-pointer gave the Rebels their largest lead at 39-26.

Jones converted a three-point play, Williams made a 3-pointer and Jones added a 3-pointer to trim the lead to 44-35 at halftime.

- Field Level Media

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