The Auburn Tigers are moving on in the NIT, winning their first two games at Neville Arena to advance as one of the last eight teams remaining after handling Seattle University in a close 91-85 game.
It will now be an extremely challenging matchup against Nevada on Wednesday again on The Plains, with a trip to the semifinals in Indianapolis on the line.
It’s safe to say the Tigers have certainly shown up nicely in the event.
“I want to thank our fans that came out tonight. Our guys felt their presence, and they’ve been phenomenal for us all year,” Auburn coach Steven Pearl said. “To score 91 points against that team is good. As the game went on, guys made shots…We did a good job of making the easy pass and getting downhill. We shared it. We did a lot of good things offensively that we can build off.”
Offensively, it was Kevin Overton and Elyjah Freeman leading the way with 23 points and 19 points respectively. Keyshawn Hall did not have a strong shooting night but found other ways to make an impact with 15 rebounds and five assists.
“He did a good job of doing the things we ask him to do. Fifteen rebounds is huge,” Pearl said on Hall before praising the others as well. “[Overton] has been playing well offensively since SEC play got started…Every time he shoots it, we think it’s going in. He’s been a great spark for us offensively.”
The game on Wednesday will tip off at Neville Arena at 8:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday evening.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
