Tip-Off Countdown: #42 Auburn 92 Missouri 58

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

A 2nd half awakening led Auburn to a blowout win over Mizzou.

January 30, 2019 - Auburn Arena

So we fast forward two weeks from the last Auburn win as the Tigers came into this one on a 3 game losing and had dropped to 2-4 in the SEC. The first game, was a heartbreaking 82-80 loss to Kentucky in one of the best basketball environments I’ve ever been a part of. Yes, we lost that game but the energy in the building, capped off with the Auburn Arena debut of Dickie V makes it one of my fondest Jungle memories, despite losing that game.

Then Auburn goes to South Carolina, which has become a recent house of horrors, and loses 80-77 on a controversial no-call as Auburn looked to tie that game in the closing seconds. Then Auburn went to Starkville and gave up 92 points to Mississippi State, losing 92-84 and fell out of the Top 25.

The game against Mizzou was the first of a 3-game homestand in which Auburn really needed to take care of business to get back on track.

And while the first couple of minutes were great, with Auburn knocking down 3 3-pointers in the first 2 minutes, compliments of Bryce Brown (2) and Anfernee McLemore, the rest of the half was a struggle.

After scoring 11 points in the first 2:13, it would take 10 minutes for Auburn to hit 20. Chuma Okeke would lead the charge down the stretch in the first half, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers and a jumper with 2 seconds left in the half to give Auburn a 34-31 halftime lead.

Okay, here we go! We’re gonna start with the Missouri game and while the first half was a struggle. This was a huge shot from Chuma to go into the locker room. Chuma played terrific in the first half of that game Wednesday night. pic.twitter.com/9G1dKcZGeB

— Jaylin Williams/Simpson Fan Account (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Auburn led despite shooting 5-21 from 3 in the 2nd half. Okeke led Auburn with 11 points in the first half.

The second half was a different story though.

Auburn’s basically turned into the Monstars in the second half here.

— gotchya and grabass purveyors (@CollegeAndMag) January 31, 2019

Samir Doughty would get it started knocking down his first 3 of the night, followed by 2 more 3s from Bryce Brown and just like that, Auburn was up 43-33 2 minutes into the 2nd half.

This play is made by the efforts of Chuma Okeke and Samir Doughty. Doughty didn’t give up on the play which leads to a fast break where Bryce hits another 3. pic.twitter.com/s1YXUsrL4s

— Jaylin Williams/Simpson Fan Account (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

They were just getting started.

A minute later, Jared Harper would knock down his lone 3 of the evening and then we would see the 2nd career made 3 of Horace Spencer’s career.

Horace Spencer attempted 2 3s in the Mizzou game and both were good shots. The first one was in and out and then this one was an open look that he drilled, his 2nd 3 of the season. pic.twitter.com/i27cGQpQEe

— Jaylin Williams/Simpson Fan Account (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Horace would go down and block Missouri’s shot on the next possession that led to a 3 from Malik Dunbar and Auburn had a 53-37 lead with 14 minutes to go in the game as Auburn’s first 6 baskets of the 2nd half were all from distance.

Auburn would stretch the lead to 20 with a 3-point play from Spencer and another 3 from Dunbar. Danjel Purifoy would join the 3-point party with a 3 to give Auburn a 25 point lead with 11:25 left.

Auburn would continue to pour it on as the minutes crept down and towards the end and Auburn got their best game from Danjel Purifoy since his return in this return including this steal and dunk late to put Auburn up 80-53.

Hard not to be pleased with the effort of Danjel Purifoy here. Forces the loose ball, wins the loose ball and gets the reward going the other way for a slam dunk! pic.twitter.com/Idp3EvEYeB

— Jaylin Williams/Simpson Fan Account (@ShootyHoopsWill) February 4, 2019

Auburn would also get some time for the walk-ons to get in the game which is almost always a good sign for how things are going. Auburn was 11-20 from 3 in the 2nd half after the tough shooting in the 1st half. Auburn also outscored Missouri 58-27 in the 2nd half. So yeah, Auburn’s 2nd half total matched Missouri’s game total.

Nine players had at least 6 points in this game led by 16 from Jared Harper. Bryce Brown and Chuma Okeke each had 14 points with Chuma also hauling in 12 rebounds. Danjel Purifoy and Anfernee McLemore each had 8 points. Samir Doughty scored 7 and Malik Dunbar, J’Von McCormick and Horace Spencer all had 6 apiece. It was a total team effort and a much needed win for Auburn.

The 34 point win was the largest margin of victory over an SEC opponent in almost 20 years, that being a 41-point win over Alabama 101-60 back on February 13, 1999.

Here are the highlights!

Speaking of Alabama..... you’ll want to catch the next one.

War Eagle!

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