Broome and Cardwell guide No. 1 Auburn to a win against No. 23 Ole Miss
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell delivered double-doubles and all five starters scored in double figures to lead No. 1 Auburn to a 92-82 win over No. 23 Ole Miss Saturday at SJB Pavillion, the Tigers’ 13th consecutive victory.
“It was a great win, our best road win of the year,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. “So many contributions and we never panicked. Great environment here at Ole Miss and we appreciate all the Auburn faithful for coming out. A tough, gritty road win.”
Broome scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while Cardwell added 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds to lead Auburn to its eighth ranked win and 13th Quad-1 victory of the season.
“Dylan Cardwell and Johni Broome are so dominant, physically,” said Pearl, whose senior post players added eight assists, three blocked shots and two steals. “Our physicality was a factor. Our front line dominated.”
Chad Baker-Mazara scored 18 points, Denver Jones scored 16 and Mile Kelly added 15 to help the Tigers win their fifth SEC road game. Tahaad Pettiford contributed nine points and a game-high five assists on his way to a team-best plus-17.
“They want to win for Auburn,” Pearl said. “They recognize that this is a special team. They want to make history. We played some beautiful basketball. Every time Ole Miss made a run, we answered.”
Auburn made 14 3-pointers, shooting 50-percent from long range. Jones and Baker-Mazara each made four 3-pointers while Kelly added three.
Leading by seven at the half, Auburn used an 8-0 run to take a nine-point lead on 3-pointers from Kelly and Pettiford.
The Rebels pulled within one with 8:05 remaining but the Tigers regained momentum on a pair Baker-Mazara 3-pointers and Pettiford’s dunk after Jones’ steal and assist.
Pettiford drove and dished to Cardwell, who drew a foul while dunking, adding a free throw to give Auburn a 71-62 lead with 5:02 to play.
Baker-Mazara was big down the stretch, helping the Tigers hold off the Rebels with an old-fashioned 3-point play and a jumper in the lane after Broome’s offensive rebound.
“Really exciting to be here,” Baker-Mazara said. “Ole Miss always gives us a good game. We knew we had to come in prepared and do our thing. Nobody panics, everybody stays composed. The guys know how to be mature.”
