In a thrilling opening match of the 2024 Maui Invitational, the Auburn Tigers achieved a historic milestone by defeating two Associated Press top 5 teams within the same season for the first time in school history. Following their impressive victory over Houston on November 9, the Tigers clinched a nail-biting 83-81 win against the fifth-ranked Iowa State Cyclones.
The game was a rollercoaster, with Auburn trailing by 16 points at Halftime. However, the second half saw a remarkable comeback, led by Chad Baker-Mazara, who scored 18 points, and Johni Broome, who finished with a game-high 21 points, including the decisive tip-in in the final seconds. Despite Iowa State’s Keshon Gilbert scoring 23 points and the Cyclones boasting a 47% shooting percentage as a team, they could not hold off Auburn’s relentless push.
Several key takeaways emerged from the game:
1. **Strong Iowa State Defense**: Iowa State entered the match with one of the top defenses in the country, which was evident in the first half as they forced Auburn into seven turnovers, leading to 11 points off those mistakes. Auburn struggled offensively, shooting only 29% from beyond the arc, with just four 3-pointers made in the first half.
2. **Second Half Surge**: Auburn came out revitalized in the second half, outscoring Iowa State 24-11 to narrow the deficit. This momentum shift allowed them to take their first lead in the final moments of the game, culminating in crucial contributions from bench players like Tahaad Pettiford, who scored 14 points, and Denver Jones, along with Miles Kelly combining for 24 points after a sluggish first half.
3. **Team Updates**: Ja’Heim Hudson made his return after serving a three-game suspension, playing four minutes and contributing with a rebound and an assist. However, Jahki Howard remained sidelined, not seeing action after his suspension since the season opener.
Looking ahead, Auburn will face the winner of the North Carolina and Dayton matchup on Tuesday at 10 p.m. on ESPN. This victory marks a significant step for Auburn in building confidence and momentum for the season, showcasing their resilience and team depth.
The Tigers demonstrated remarkable tenacity and skill, brightening their prospects for future games in the tournament and reinforcing their competitiveness on a national stage. Their ability to overcome adversity against a formidable opponent signals a promising season ahead.