The Auburn Tigers destroyed the South Carolina Gamecocks by a score of 86-55 in the quarter finals of the SEC Tournament.
Having earned the double-bye as the No. 4 seed, it was Auburn’s first game of the tournament and first overall in six days. But, right out of the gate, the Tigers showed no signs of rust.
Auburn led by 20 at halftime, holding the Gamecock offense to just 26 first-half points. South Carolina shot a dreadful 7 of 26 from the field in the first half compared to Auburn shooting a lights out 50% (17 of 34).
Defense=strapped🔒 pic.twitter.com/PIXcblSkUs
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) March 15, 2024
STAND YOUR GROUND 😤 pic.twitter.com/zfX1STuzA8
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) March 15, 2024
Johni Broome was his usual self in the first half, scoring 12 points on 4 of 7 shooting, while Chaney Johnson came off the bench to add 7 points and Chad Baker-Mazara had 8.
Golden🤑👌 pic.twitter.com/iNEWCqsg7q
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) March 15, 2024
JOHNI.BROOME.😳 pic.twitter.com/PaXvbcFEX6
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) March 15, 2024
It only got worse for South Carolina in the second half — the Tigers flexed their muscles and got up by 30 points with ten minutes left to play.
Feelin' it😆 pic.twitter.com/0Ck5uQsN4t
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) March 15, 2024
BIG TIME🤯 pic.twitter.com/UlWgSMtgi0
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) March 15, 2024
The second half was more of the same on defense for Auburn, with the Gamecocks beginning the second frame 1 of 9 from the field and sitting at 25% with five minutes left, down by 30 points.
Broome finished with another double-double (18 points and 10 rebounds) while Johnson added 11 points and freshman guard Aden Holloway put up 9 of his own.
The No. 1 seed in the tournament, the Tennessee Volunteers, suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Mississippi State by 17 points.
The Vols’ loss sets up Auburn to play Mississippi State, who they split the season series 1-1 with but most recently defeated by 15 points at Neville Arena.
It will be the first matchup of the day on Saturday at 12:00 P.M. CST on ESPN.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
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