Nobody knew this would be the end for Samir, Danjel, Anfernee, Austin, J’Von and Isaac but these guys went out on top!
March 7, 2020 - Knoxville, Tennessee
100 articles, 100 Auburn wins.
First of all, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for reading these. I hope you all have enjoyed looking back at the last 4+ years of Auburn Basketball as we’ve dealt with the longest offseason ever. I want to thank Ryan Sterritt for his help on writing a few of these as well to give me a break from time to time.
Auburn entered their regular season finale against Tennessee looking to accomplish a couple things. One, after losing to Texas A&M in their home finale, the only loss in Auburn Arena last season (just like 2018), the Tigers needed a win to finish 2nd in the SEC. They looked to snap a 2-game losing streak after losses to the Aggies and Kentucky. Third, they also looked to win consecutive games in Knoxville for the first time ever. Auburn actually entered this game as a slight underdog.
Samir Doughty only played once in Thompson-Boling Arena but he took a liking to it early and often. Samir got the Tigers on the board a minute into the game with his first 3 of the game. It wouldn’t be his last.
Isaac Okoro knocked down a 3 and layup early as the Tigers led 11-8 at the first TV timeout.
Samir’s 2nd 3 of the afternoon beat the shot clock midway through the 2nd half as Auburn led 22-15 at that point. The Tigers led 25-21 with just under 7 minutes to go in the half but 6 straight points from Allen Flanigan helped Auburn build an 8-point lead. This was one of Flanigan’s best games of the season and much more will be expected from Flanigan this season.
Doughty would hit another 3 and Danjel Purifoy’s 4-point play helped Auburn build a 13-point lead, 38-25 with about 2 minutes left in the half. Auburn led 42-31 at halftime.
Every time Tennessee seemingly made a run, Doughty would quiet the crowd with a 3-pointer in the 2nd half.
Tennessee cut the lead to 9 and had several chances to get closer but couldn’t capitalize and Samir stopped the run from getting bigger with his 4th 3 of the game. It started an 8-0 run that included a basket from Austin Wiley and Samir’s 5th 3 of the game. That gave the Tigers a 54-37 lead with just under 14 minutes to go.
Tennessee would go on a 16-14 run to cut Auburn’s lead to 58-53 with 11 minutes left. But Samir wasn’t having it, knocking down his 6th 3 of the game.
Samir would get some help from J’Von McCormick as his 3-pointer put Auburn back up 12, 68-56 at the Under 8 timeout. Tennessee wouldn’t get no closer than 10 from this point forward. With Auburn up 72-62 with 4 minutes to go, Samir said night night Vols.
Started this Hoops Tip-Off countdown on August 2nd. Tonight I wrote the last two. Catch them on @CollegeAndMag in the morning! pic.twitter.com/aLC7OMuRbV
— Jaylin Williams/Simpson Fan Account (@ShootyHoopsWill) November 25, 2020
Samir’s 7th and 8th 3s were the daggers in this one as Samir finished with a career high 8 3-pointers on the afternoon. He was one shy of his career high, finishing with 32 points, on 8-13 shooting from 3.
Turbo Jones got a cameo in the closing moments of this one and he didn’t disappoint scoring the final Auburn points of the season.
FREE TURBO pic.twitter.com/rv0s1fB5DL
— Jacob Hillman (@Jacob_Hillman3) March 7, 2020
J’Von McCormick finished his Auburn career scoring 13 points and was 3-6 from 3. Isaac Okoro had 11 points.
Allen Flanigan had 9 points and 5 rebounds. Austin Wiley finished his career scoring 7 points and 9 rebounds.
As a team, Auburn made 18 3s on the afternoon, outrebounded Tennessee 42-26 and looked poised for a run in March. They finished the year 25-6 overall and 12-6 in the SEC.
Here are the highlights!
College Basketball came to a screeching halt 258 days ago on March 12. Today, it triumphantly returns! Thank you all so much for reading over the past 3 1⁄2 months and I hope I have helped you remember some of the good times we’ve had over the past couple of seasons watching this basketball team. War Eagle!
from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2020/11/25/21590911/tip-off-countdown-1-17-auburn-85-tennessee-63
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