3 takeaways from Auburn basketball’s historic game in the Maui Invitational

On By Littum

In their opening round of the 2024 Maui Invitational, the Auburn Tigers made history.

For the first time in school history, Auburn knocks off two Associated Press top 5 teams in the same season. First it was Houston on Nov. 9, and the next notch in the belt is no. 5 Iowa State, who won 83-81.

Trailing the Cyclones by 16 points at halftime, the Tigers stormed back in the second half, sparked by 18 points from Chad Baker-Mazara and a team-high 21 points from Johni Broome, including the game-winning tip-in with seconds left.

Iowa State shot 47% from the floor as a team led by Keshon Gilbert’s 23 points.

Before you meet the winner of North Carolina and Dayton in the Maui nightcap, here are three takeaways from Monday’s game:

The Iowa State defense confuses Auburn early

Iowa State entered Monday night’s contest with one of the nation’s best defenses. It showed again by forcing seven on Auburn in the first half.

The Cyclones scored 11 points off Tigers turnovers and outscored them 14-3 on fastbreak points. Auburn shot 29% from 3-point range and hit just four in the first half.

Tahaad Pettiford and Broome combined for 20 points in the first half. However, Iowa State had five players with seven or more points at halftime.

Second half scoring heroics lead to victory

Auburn started the second half by outscoring Iowa State 24-11 to cut its deficit to just one possession. The Tigers took their first lead in the final four minutes of the game on a pair of Denver Jones free throws.

Pettiford finished with 14 points off the bench. Jones and Miles Kelly combined for 24 points after a slow start in the first half.

Ja’Heim Hudson returns to the court, no Jahki Howard

After serving a three-game suspension for his role in the physical altercation during a team flight, Ja’Heim Hudson saw action against Iowa State.

Hudson played four minutes in the first half and finished with a rebound and an assist.

Jahki Howard, who was also suspended, did not see any playing time for the third straight game. He has not seen action since the season opener.

Auburn plays the winner of North Carolina and Dayton on Tuesday at 10 p.m. on ESPN.