AUBURN, Ala. – In a game of big runs, a 16-2 second run was the difference as Auburn pulled away from TSU by an 80-63 margin Tuesday evening at Auburn Arena.
Auburn would take an early 12-5 lead but TSU fought back with an 8-2 run to close within 14-13 as four Tigers would score during that span. Playing in his home state, TSU's Justin Hopkins tied the contest at 20-all with 11:48 remaining but Auburn answered with a 12-4 run as TSU only hit one shot during that span. Trailing by eight at the 5:50 mark, TSU once again responded like a heavyweight puncher as Karl Nicholas and John Walker III combined for seven points to spark a 7-2 run which narrowed the gap to 34-31. TSU kept up the momentum by forcing three steals and causing four Auburn turnovers from that point as they outscored Auburn 9-5 to close out the half.
The second half started out close but Auburn would manage to pull away behind the strength of a 16-2 run which spanned 5:08. Auburn went 5-of-9 from the field and was 5-of-10 from the free throw line while TSU only made one shot with four turnovers and no trips to the charity stripe. TSU would get to within nine points on two occasions over the next few minutes but only hit two field goals from that point as the contest came to a close.
Michael Weathers led TSU with 11 points while Galen Alexander followed with 10. Yahuza Rasas and Karl Nicholas both had five rebounds.
TSU is back in action on Monday at BYU in Provo, Utah.
