The Auburn Tigers returned to Neville Arena on Saturday for a dominant 98-54 victory over Richmond, their first home game since November 18. The win improved Auburn’s record to 8-1, coming off a tough loss at Duke. The Tigers were firing on all cylinders, shooting lights out from three-point range, forcing turnovers, and controlling the glass.
Here are four key takeaways from the game:
Back Up: Denver Jones
After a tough performance against Duke, where he went 0-for-4 with zero points, Denver Jones bounced back in a big way. He finished with 11 points, hitting three 3-pointers in the first half and providing a boost for Auburn as they built a big lead. Jones is settling into his role as point guard after playing shooting guard last season, and this game was a confidence booster for him.
Way Up: Jahki Howard
Freshman Jahki Howard saw significant playing time for the first time in weeks and made the most of it. He scored 13 points, including three dunks, and grabbed four rebounds. His high-flying style was on display, highlighted by a massive dunk that energized the team. With players like Howard stepping up, Auburn now has another strong option off the bench.
Down: Opponent Fastbreak Points
While Auburn struggled to defend in transition against Duke, they were much better against Richmond. The Spiders only scored six fastbreak points, and Auburn allowed just three points off seven turnovers. This improvement is important, but the competition level must be considered when assessing their transition defense.
Still Up: Auburn’s 3-Point Shooting
Auburn has several players who can shoot the three ball efficiently. Miles Kelly (49%), Tahaad Pettiford (45%), and Chad Baker-Mazara (47%) are all shooting above 40% from beyond the arc. Each of them contributed to the victory over Richmond, showcasing Auburn’s ability to rely on multiple shooters to stretch the defense and score efficiently.
Overall, Auburn showed signs of improvement after their loss at Duke, and with contributions from both established and new players, they are poised for continued success.
