Dec. 17, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. - Despite what may have been considered a sloppy game offensively, Auburn found others ways to get the job done in a huge non-conference win against Middle Tennessee Saturday.
"I don't think we did that well offensively," head coach Bruce Pearl said after the game. "We turned it over 21 times. I'll give Middle Tennessee credit for that."
However, when the Tigers did get looks, they knocked them down at an efficient rate. As a team, Auburn shot 25-of-51 from the field - good for 49 percent - and had four players shoot 60 percent or better from the field.
The Tigers went on to take a 76-70 decision over the No. 14 team in the RPI entering the day to improve to 9-1 to start the season.
Here are three takeaways from Auburn's victory.
Crank up the defenseThe Tigers forced a season-high 24 turnovers against the Blue Raiders. It was the second time this season Auburn has produced a 20-turnover game and the ninth time under Coach Pearl.
"I thought we were active," Pearl said. "[Middle Tennessee] loves to live in the middle of the floor and we just didn't let them get there. We made it really hard on them. We rallied to the ball.
"I think our guys are taking comfort in making the other team struggle with their offense."
The 24 turnovers were the most Auburn had forced in a game since it induced 28 against North Florida in the 2016-17 season opener.
Bench bigs ball outChuma Okeke and Horace Spencer provided quality minutes off the bench in the Tigers' triumph Saturday.
Okeke and Spencer combined for 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting, while also contributing 12 rebounds in a game that featured taller players in blue with 6-foot-10 Brandon Walters, 6-foot-9 Karl Gamble and 6-foot-7 Nick King.
"It was pretty physical, but every game is physical down low in the post," Spencer noted, who had 11 points and seven boards. "You've got to come ready to bang."
Okeke's performance of 14 points and five rebounds in his 10th career collegiate game drew high praise from his head coach.
"It's interesting, he's played pretty well at Dayton and here in Birmingham on a neutral site," Pearl said. "I think that bodes well for a freshman that he just doesn't get affected by the environment. He's like a sponge as far as learning. He will compete and he's a tough kid."
Just keep winningWith Auburn's victory Saturday evening, the Tigers have increased their winning streak to seven games. It is Auburn's longest winning streak since it won seven in a row from Dec. 6, 2008 to Jan. 3, 2009.
The Tigers have captured 20 regular season non-conference victories since the start of the 2016-17 season. That mark is the highest in the SEC with Arkansas and Kentucky (19) next on the list in that span.
It will be a short turnaround for Auburn as it hits the road for a game at Murray State Tuesday evening. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT.