Overview
- After trailing by 11 at halftime, Auburn outscored St. John’s 55-35 in the second half, closing on a 30-13 run over the final nine minutes.
- The Tigers shot 55% from the field and 43% from three with 16 assists, a ball-movement benchmark coach Steven Pearl emphasized postgame.
- Freshman Tahaad Pettiford led Auburn with 27 points, including a decisive burst down the stretch; Keyshawn Hall added 20 points and eight rebounds.
- St. John’s shot 38% overall and 7-for-25 from deep, committed 14 turnovers that became 20 Auburn points, and saw Bryce Hopkins and Oziyah Sellers combine to go 3-for-18.
- Rick Pitino called the Red Storm’s defense “average at best” after the 85-74 loss that dropped them to 4-3, while Auburn improved to 6-2; St. John’s has an extended break before Ole Miss at Madison Square Garden and Auburn returns home to face NC State.