FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the second straight week, No. 11 Auburn overcame a double-digit, second-half deficit to earn an SEC overtime road win, beating Arkansas 79-76 Tuesday at Bud Walton Arena.
"We didn't quit," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. "I think it speaks to the effort, the energy and the character of our team to not give in, to not succumb to being down when you're on the road."
Auburn made 8 of 9 free throws in OT, avoiding a second overtime when Mason Jones' off-balance 3-point attempt missed with one second left.
Samir Doughty's free throws early in overtime put Auburn ahead 71-70, a lead the Tigers would not relinquish. Doughty shook off a virus and a lack of practice time to lead Auburn with 23 points. Doughty, J'Von McCormick and Danjel Purifoy each added a pair of overtime free throws to preserve the lead.
A week after coming back from 19 down at Ole Miss, the Tigers trailed the Razorbacks by 11 points with 5:59 to play.
"Depth, first and foremost," said Pearl, whose team improved to 3-0 this season in overtime games. "We play nine guys on a regular basis. We've been able to wear people out."
Wearing an unnamed No. 55 jersey after his customary No. 5 jersey ripped during a sequence in which he was called for a foul, McCormick began a game-tying, 12-1 run with a 3-pointer.
"He became a different player," Pearl said of the uniform swap. "No. 55 was better than No. 5. Twice as good."
Anfernee McLemore rebounded an Arkansas miss, leading to a McCormick fast-break layup that tied the score at 66-66 with 2:15 to play.
After Arkansas scored, McCormick made a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give Auburn its first lead of the second half, 69-68.
McCormick scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds. McLemore recorded a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
"Anfernee McLemore was plus-18 coming off the bench," Pearl said. "Unbelievable defense. I don't know how many guys come off the bench in this league who have had a greater impact than him."
Isaac Okoro scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Purifoy had 10 points and nine rebounds.
"Isaac Okoro has tremendous impact on the game," Pearl said. "He was plus-20 when he was on the floor. Samir Doughty is a strong personality on our team. He's a leader. Not afraid of the moment."
The Razorbacks had a chance to win in regulation but missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Jones scored 40 to lead Arkansas (16-6, 4-5).
The Tigers (20-2, 7-2) outrebounded Arkansas 44-27, leading to a 16-6 advantage in second-chance points.
Doughty made three 3-pointers and scored 13 in the first half to give Auburn a 34-32 halftime lead.
After a 10-0 run gave Arkansas a 30-23 lead, the Tigers answered with an 11-0 run late in the half. Auburn held Arkansas without a field goal over the final 6:16 of the half. The Razorbacks missed their last nine shots.
With Austin Wiley in foul trouble, McLemore grabbed seven rebounds in the first half to help Auburn enjoy a 21-16 rebounding edge.
The Tigers return to Auburn Arena Saturday at 11 a.m. against LSU on Lettermen's Weekend.
Big time @SEC road win in OT! #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/M9ixT8OydM
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) February 5, 2020
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer