AUBURN, Ala. – Ready to thrive in ’25, No. 2 Auburn ended the first half with 18 straight points and blasted Monmouth 87-58 Monday at Neville Arena in the Tigers’ non-conference finale.
“It was the toughest non-conference schedule in the history of Auburn basketball, and we lost one game at Duke in a close game,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said of a slate that included four wins over ranked opponents. “Very proud of our kids. We demonstrated we could win away from Neville.”
Tied 28-28 with six and a half minutes left in the opening half, Chaney Johnson scored 10 consecutive points before Chad Baker-Mazara made the first of his two 4-point plays.
“We finally got into that rhythm, the shots started hitting,” said Baker-Mazara, who made three 3-pointers. “Got ourselves composed and finally hit our shots.”
On his way to his ninth double-double of the season, Johni Broome ended the onslaught with a pair of layups to give Auburn a 46-28 halftime lead en route to the Tigers’ 60th straight non-conference home win.
In the second half Auburn’s freshmen teamed up for two electrifying lobs from Tahaad Pettiford to Jahki Howard, who windmilled the first and reversed the second on a half-court pass, bringing teammates on the Tigers’ bench to their feet.
” That kid is a freak of nature,” Baker-Mazara said of Howard’s high-flying exploits. “You haven’t seen anything close of what he does in practice.”
“When I first saw it, I couldn’t breathe,” Cardwell said. “I couldn’t believe it. I think it’ll go down as the best dunk in Neville Arena.”
“Jahki Howard is going to be a great player and play in the NBA someday,” Pearl said. “He’s gifted and talented, and he’s also a hard worker.”
Broome led four Tigers in double figures with 14 points and shared the rebounding lead with Dylan Cardwell, who logged his first career double-double by grabbing 11 rebounds and scoring 12 points. Broome added four assists, three blocked shots and a steal.
“I’m grateful that I was on the receiving end of a double-double after seeing so many guys before me get double-doubles,” Cardwell said. “I’m grateful that it was my turn.”
“As good a teammate as any player I’ve ever coached,” Pearl said. “Dylan can play in the NBA because of his ability to guard anywhere on the court. He can bang on the inside.”
Baker-Mazara scored 13 points, Johnson added12 and Denver Jones went 3-for-3 on 3-pointers, scoring nine points. Baker-Mazara was 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, extending his program record for consecutive makes to 39.
“I’ve found a routine that helps me every time,” Baker-Mazara said. “It’s just me and the basket. I take two breaths to make me keep my composure and lock in with the rim.”
Auburn outrebounded the Hawks 46-27.
“They had length, but they weren’t big like we’re going to see in the SEC,” Pearl said.
Ten Tigers recorded at least one assist, with Pettiford dishing a game-high five.
“Tahaad wants to be coached. He wants to get better,” Pearl said. “He asks questions. Based on preseason expectations, he’s the best freshman in the country. Let’s say he was 25th (in preseason rankings). He’s not the 25th best freshman in the country.”
Auburn (12-1) tips off SEC play against Missouri Saturday at Neville Arena at 3 p.m. CT on SEC Network and the Auburn Sports Network.
“Now we get ready to start the toughest conference schedule in the history of college basketball,” Pearl said. “There’s maybe never been a league like this. The strong literally are going to be the only ones who are going to survive. Hungry, healthy, humble is the way to get through it.
“Matchups are going to matter. We’re going to lose games, but we can’t let a loss affect the next time out. We’re healthy and we’re ready.”
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer