No. 2 Auburn uses 18-0 run to end first half, pull away from Monmouth

Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell each recorded double-doubles to lead host Auburn to an 87-58 victory over Monmouth on Monday night at Auburn, Ala.

Broome was one of four Tigers who scored in double figures to lead No. 2 Auburn (12-1) to its fifth consecutive win. Monmouth (2-11) lost for the third time in its past four games.

The Hawks remained competitive with one of the nation's best for more than 13 minutes of the first half.

But the Tigers, who played a game for the first time since Dec. 21, broke a 28-28 tie with 6:20 left with an 18-0 run to close out the first half.

Auburn added on to its advantage with a lopsided second half as it wrapped up its nonconference schedule in dominant fashion.

Chaney Johnson scored 10 consecutive points to spark the pivotal surge late in the first half and finished with 12 points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field and 6-of-6 shooting from the free-throw line.

Broome led all Auburn scorers with 14 points and collected 11 rebounds, while Cardwell finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Broome also had four assists and three blocks. His efforts highlighted a balanced scoring effort by the Tigers, who had seven players with at least eight points.

The Tigers did a great job defensively containing Monmouth guard Abdi Bashir Jr., one of the top scorers in the country who entered the contest averaging 21.6 points per game and shooting 42.9 percent from 3-point range. Bashir totaled 15 points and was limited to 4-for-15 shooting from the field, including 2-for-5 from 3-point range.

Auburn scored 20 points off 11 Monmouth turnovers while committing only seven of its own.

Monmouth's Jaret Valencia also had 13 points and four rebounds while Madison Durr had 12 points.

For Auburn, Chad Baker-Mazara collected 13 points, four assists and three rebounds. The Tigers finished with a noticeable advantage in rebounding (46-27), primarily on the offensive glass where they outrebounded the Hawks 16-5.

--Field Level Media