AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 11 Auburn men's basketball team defeated Lincoln Memorial, 76-62, in an exhibition Friday night inside Auburn Arena.
Jared Harper led the way with 22 points, while Chuma Okeke stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four blocks.
Horace Spencer chimed in with 14 points and eight rebounds. In his first action back from injury, Anfernee McLemore totaled 13 points and six rebounds.
The Railsplitters, ranked No. 3 in Division II to begin the season, provided a tough test for the Tigers to begin the season.
Auburn was forced into 15 turnovers and shot just 26% from behind the arc (6-for-26) in the 40-minute affair.
"It was quite an exhibition game," head coach Bruce Pearl said. "I am disappointed on how we played; we didn't play well. Lincoln Memorial played really well, and I want to thank [head coach] Josh [Schertz] because I knew they would give us a good test.
"They played hard, their guards are really quick, Josh runs some really good stuff and overall that was a great challenge. They were fast, they were quick, and we are bigger and slower, and it was exactly what we needed."
On the defensive end, the Tigers were disruptive and forced 19 turnovers.
Auburn got to the line 26 times Friday night and knocked down 18, led by Harper's 6-for-6 showing at the charity stripe.
The Tigers begin the regular season Tuesday, Nov. 6 against South Alabama. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT at Auburn Arena on SEC Network and Auburn Sports Network.
