No. 7 Auburn survives scare, hangs on to beat Murray State
AP
Dec 22, 2018
Auburn Tigers, Ala. (AP) Shuffling its starting lineup and finding its 3-point shot in the second half helped No. 7 Auburn to a bounce-back victory at home.
Samir Doughty scored 20 points, Austin Wiley had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Auburn held off Murray State Racers 93-88 on Saturday.
Four days after being upset by North Carolina State on the road, the Tigers (10-2) survived a late scare by the Racers (8-2). Auburn led 91-79 with 56 seconds remaining before Murray State cut the lead to three on a 3-pointer by Shaq Buchanan with 24 seconds to go, but free throws by Jared Harper on the other end sealed the victory.
''We had really solid looks in the second half,'' Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. ''We did what we wanted to do offensively. Austin, on the inside, was really good.''
The Racers had led 59-57 about six minutes into the second half, but a 19-3 run by Auburn over the next five minutes broke the game open, with Bryce Brown's 3-pointer capping the spurt to give the Tigers a 76-62 lead with 8:51 left.
Doughty and Wiley were two of five players to score in double figures for Auburn. Chuma Okeke had 17 points, Harper finished with 12 and Bryce Brown added 11.
Ja Morant led Murray State with 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Murray State trailed by only three points at halftime and took the lead early in the second half before Auburn went ahead for good with 13:11 to play.
Auburn picked up its 3-point shooting in the second half, hitting 8 of 17 from behind the arc in the second half, including five 3s in the 19-3 run.
Wiley started for the first time this season as the Tigers adjusted their rotation after the loss to unranked North Carolina State on Wednesday. He scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds in the first half. Auburn led 38-35 at the break.
''I thought it was a heck of a college basketball game,'' Murray State coach Matt McMahon said. ''I hate we weren't able to come out on top, but congrats to Auburn.''
BIG PICTURE
Auburn: The Tigers are likely to slide in next week's AP Top 25 after their 78-71 defeat at N.C. State and nearly blowing a 12-point lead against a mid-major conference team. Auburn opens SEC play on Jan. 9 at Ole Miss.
Murray State: The Racers fell to 0-2 this season against SEC teams. Murray State lost to Alabama 78-72 on Nov. 26. It opens Ohio Valley Conference play on Jan. 3 against Morehead State.
BOUNCING BACK
Brown missed pregame walkthroughs while fighting off a fever, Pearl said, but he played and broke his slump from behind the arc. The shooting guard finished 0-for-6 from 3-point range against UAB and went 0-for-4 against N.C. State in Auburn's last two games. He hit 3 of 8 against Murray State.
BIG AUDIENCE
Morant played in front of 15 NBA scouts from 11 NBA teams. He entered the game averaging 22.8 points and an NCAA Division I-best 9.6 assists.
''He's a great player,'' Auburn's Harper said. ''He's a future lottery pick. He'll be a great future player in the NBA.''
UP NEXT
Auburn: The Tigers have a week off before hosting North Florida for their final nonconference game next Saturday.
Murray State: The Racers play Bethel at home next Saturday in their nonconference finale.
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1st Half
MURR
Racers
35
AUB
Tigers
38
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Auburn
19:37
Bryce Brown missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:35
Offensive rebound by Austin Wiley
19:28
+3
Chuma Okeke made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jared Harper
0-3
19:06
Ja Morant missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:04
Defensive rebound by Bryce Brown
18:57
+3
Samir Doughty made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Bryce Brown
0-6
18:40
Mike Davis missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:38
Defensive rebound by Samir Doughty
18:27
+2
Austin Wiley made layup, assist by Jared Harper
0-8
18:12
+2
Ja Morant made driving layup
2-8
17:59
Austin Wiley missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:57
Offensive rebound by Samir Doughty
17:56
+2
Samir Doughty made dunk
2-10
17:37
Shaq Buchanan missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:35
Defensive rebound by Austin Wiley
17:15
Shooting foul on Shaq Buchanan
17:15
Jared Harper missed 1st of 2 free throws
17:15
Jared Harper missed 2nd of 2 free throws
17:15
Defensive rebound by Ja Morant
17:09
+3
Tevin Brown made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Shaq Buchanan
5-10
16:48
Chuma Okeke missed driving layup
16:46
Defensive rebound by Ja Morant
16:26
Mike Davis missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:24
Defensive rebound by Auburn
16:16
Shooting foul on Brion Sanchious
16:16
Austin Wiley missed 1st of 2 free throws
16:16
Austin Wiley missed 2nd of 2 free throws
16:16
Defensive rebound by Shaq Buchanan
15:49
+2
Ja Morant made driving layup, assist by Mike Davis
7-10
15:40
+3
Jared Harper made 3-pt. jump shot
7-13
15:13
+3
Ja Morant made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Shaq Buchanan
10-13
14:54
+2
Austin Wiley made hook shot, assist by Malik Dunbar
10-15
14:37
+2
Shaq Buchanan made jump shot
12-15
14:25
Shooting foul on Tevin Brown
14:25
+1
Austin Wiley made 1st of 2 free throws
12-16
14:25
+1
Austin Wiley made 2nd of 2 free throws
12-17
14:18
Tevin Brown missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:16
Offensive rebound by Tevin Brown
14:05
Bad pass turnover on Shaq Buchanan, stolen by J'Von McCormick
13:38
Chuma Okeke missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:36
Defensive rebound by Ja Morant
13:31
Tevin Brown missed driving layup, blocked by Malik Dunbar
13:29
Offensive rebound by KJ Williams
13:12
+2
KJ Williams made dunk
14-17
13:06
Personal foul on KJ Williams
12:50
Bad pass turnover on Bryce Brown, stolen by Ja Morant
12:46
+2
Ja Morant made dunk
16-17
12:18
+2
J'Von McCormick made driving layup
16-19
12:00
Shooting foul on Anfernee McLemore
12:00
+1
Brion Whitley made 1st of 2 free throws
17-19
12:00
Brion Whitley missed 2nd of 2 free throws
12:00
Defensive rebound by Malik Dunbar
11:37
Bad pass turnover on J'Von McCormick, stolen by Darnell Cowart
11:26
+2
KJ Williams made alley-oop shot, assist by Ja Morant
19-19
11:14
Danjel Purifoy missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:12
Defensive rebound by KJ Williams
10:44
Brion Whitley missed layup
10:42
Offensive rebound by KJ Williams
10:37
KJ Williams missed layup
10:35
Offensive rebound by Darnell Cowart
10:34
+2
Darnell Cowart made dunk
21-19
10:14
J'Von McCormick missed layup
10:12
Defensive rebound by Brion Whitley
10:00
Bad pass turnover on Ja Morant, stolen by Danjel Purifoy
9:46
Malik Dunbar missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:44
Defensive rebound by Ja Morant
9:39
Tevin Brown missed reverse layup
9:37
Defensive rebound by Malik Dunbar
9:25
Offensive foul on Anfernee McLemore
9:25
Turnover on Anfernee McLemore
9:05
+3
Brion Whitley made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Mike Davis
24-19
8:41
Jared Harper missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:39
Offensive rebound by Chuma Okeke
8:33
+2
Chuma Okeke made dunk
24-21
8:29
Bad pass turnover on Ja Morant
8:15
Out of bounds turnover on Bryce Brown
7:54
Brion Whitley missed layup
7:52
Offensive rebound by Darnell Cowart
7:48
+2
Darnell Cowart made dunk
26-21
7:46
+3
Bryce Brown made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jared Harper
26-24
7:11
Ja Morant missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:09
Defensive rebound by Samir Doughty
7:05
+2
Bryce Brown made driving dunk, assist by Samir Doughty
26-26
6:56
Shooting foul on Samir Doughty
6:54
Bad pass turnover on Tevin Brown, stolen by Chuma Okeke
6:45
+2
Austin Wiley made turnaround jump shot, assist by Jared Harper
26-28
6:22
Bad pass turnover on Brion Sanchious, stolen by Chuma Okeke
6:12
Jared Harper missed layup
6:10
Offensive rebound by Austin Wiley
6:10
+2
Austin Wiley made tip-in
26-30
6:02
Personal foul on Bryce Brown
5:59
Shooting foul on Samir Doughty
5:59
+1
Shaq Buchanan made 1st of 2 free throws
27-30
5:59
Shaq Buchanan missed 2nd of 2 free throws
5:59
Defensive rebound by Austin Wiley
5:33
Chuma Okeke missed jump shot
5:31
Defensive rebound by Murray State
5:23
Personal foul on Horace Spencer
5:10
Ja Morant missed driving layup, blocked by Horace Spencer
5:08
Offensive rebound by Tevin Brown
4:45
Tevin Brown missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:43
Offensive rebound by Tevin Brown
5:00
Traveling violation turnover on Shaq Buchanan
4:36
Chuma Okeke missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:34
Offensive rebound by Horace Spencer
4:31
+2
Horace Spencer made layup
27-32
4:31
Personal foul on KJ Williams
4:31
Horace Spencer missed free throw
4:31
Defensive rebound by KJ Williams
4:13
Bad pass turnover on Shaq Buchanan, stolen by Chuma Okeke
4:02
Lost ball turnover on Malik Dunbar, stolen by Tevin Brown
3:58
Offensive foul on Tevin Brown
3:58
Turnover on Tevin Brown
3:42
+2
Chuma Okeke made layup
27-34
3:42
Shooting foul on Mike Davis
3:42
Chuma Okeke missed free throw
3:42
Offensive rebound by Horace Spencer
3:25
Bryce Brown missed jump shot
3:23
Defensive rebound by Mike Davis
3:07
Ja Morant missed 3-pt. jump shot, blocked by Chuma Okeke
3:05
Offensive rebound by Ja Morant
2:54
Brion Whitley missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:52
Defensive rebound by Chuma Okeke
2:48
Malik Dunbar missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:46
Defensive rebound by Ja Morant
2:33
+2
Darnell Cowart made layup, assist by Mike Davis
29-34
2:18
Offensive foul on Chuma Okeke
2:18
Turnover on Chuma Okeke
1:55
Darnell Cowart missed turnaround jump shot
1:53
Defensive rebound by Malik Dunbar
1:42
Shooting foul on Darnell Cowart
1:42
+1
Malik Dunbar made 1st of 2 free throws
29-35
1:42
Malik Dunbar missed 2nd of 2 free throws
1:42
Offensive rebound by Austin Wiley
1:39
Bryce Brown missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:37
Defensive rebound by Brion Sanchious
1:22
+2
Shaq Buchanan made alley-oop shot, assist by Ja Morant
31-35
1:02
Chuma Okeke missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:00
Defensive rebound by Shaq Buchanan
46.0
Shaq Buchanan missed 3-pt. jump shot
44.0
Offensive rebound by Brion Whitley
42.0
Shooting foul on Austin Wiley
42.0
+1
Brion Whitley made 1st of 2 free throws
32-35
42.0
+1
Brion Whitley made 2nd of 2 free throws
33-35
30.0
+3
Bryce Brown made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jared Harper
33-38
6.0
+2
Shaq Buchanan made alley-oop shot, assist by Ja Morant
35-38
2.0
Jared Harper missed jump shot
0.0
Offensive rebound by Auburn
0.0
End of period
2nd Half
MURR
Racers
53
AUB
Tigers
55
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:39
+3
Shaq Buchanan made 3-pt. jump shot
38-38
19:15
+2
Austin Wiley made driving layup
38-40
19:01
Tevin Brown missed layup, blocked by Chuma Okeke
18:59
Offensive rebound by Tevin Brown
19:18
+3
Shaq Buchanan made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Tevin Brown
41-40
18:34
+2
Samir Doughty made driving layup
41-42
18:03
Personal foul on Jared Harper
18:01
Shaq Buchanan missed layup
17:59
Defensive rebound by Chuma Okeke
17:51
Lost ball turnover on Jared Harper, stolen by Brion Sanchious
17:50
+2
Ja Morant made driving layup
43-42
17:50
Shooting foul on Chuma Okeke
17:50
+1
Ja Morant made free throw
44-42
17:36
+2
Chuma Okeke made jump shot, assist by Bryce Brown
44-44
17:36
Shooting foul on Brion Sanchious
17:36
Chuma Okeke missed free throw
17:36
Defensive rebound by Ja Morant
17:30
+3
Tevin Brown made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Shaq Buchanan
47-44
17:14
Shooting foul on Brion Sanchious
17:14
+1
Samir Doughty made 1st of 2 free throws
47-45
17:14
+1
Samir Doughty made 2nd of 2 free throws
47-46
16:57
Shooting foul on Chuma Okeke
16:57
+1
Ja Morant made 1st of 2 free throws
48-46
16:57
+1
Ja Morant made 2nd of 2 free throws
49-46
16:48
Bryce Brown missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:46
Defensive rebound by Shaq Buchanan
16:41
+3
Tevin Brown made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Shaq Buchanan
52-46
16:21
Jared Harper missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:19
Offensive rebound by Austin Wiley
16:19
Personal foul on Darnell Cowart
16:11
Bryce Brown missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:09
Offensive rebound by Austin Wiley
16:07
Austin Wiley missed layup
16:05
Offensive rebound by Chuma Okeke
16:05
+2
Chuma Okeke made dunk
52-48
15:56
+2
Darnell Cowart made jump shot, assist by Tevin Brown
54-48
15:37
+2
Austin Wiley made turnaround jump shot, assist by Chuma Okeke
54-50
15:20
Lost ball turnover on Shaq Buchanan, stolen by Chuma Okeke
15:14
+2
Jared Harper made floating jump shot
54-52
15:06
+2
Ja Morant made driving layup
56-52
14:42
+2
Samir Doughty made layup, assist by Chuma Okeke
56-54
14:25
Ja Morant missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:23
Defensive rebound by Austin Wiley
14:14
+3
Samir Doughty made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jared Harper
56-57
13:50
+3
Shaq Buchanan made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ja Morant
59-57
13:30
Samir Doughty missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:28
Defensive rebound by Tevin Brown
13:20
Brion Sanchious missed jump shot
13:18
Defensive rebound by Jared Harper
13:10
+3
Jared Harper made 3-pt. jump shot
59-60
12:49
Mike Davis missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:47
Defensive rebound by Jared Harper
12:43
+3
J'Von McCormick made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jared Harper
59-63
12:15
Bad pass turnover on Ja Morant, stolen by Anfernee McLemore
11:55
+2
Jared Harper made driving layup
59-65
11:42
Personal foul on J'Von McCormick
11:26
Offensive foul on Mike Davis
11:26
Turnover on Mike Davis
11:01
+3
Malik Dunbar made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jared Harper
59-68
10:39
Shooting foul on Horace Spencer
10:39
+1
Darnell Cowart made 1st of 2 free throws
60-68
10:39
+1
Darnell Cowart made 2nd of 2 free throws
61-68
10:28
Malik Dunbar missed layup
10:26
Offensive rebound by Anfernee McLemore
10:26
+2
Anfernee McLemore made dunk
61-70
10:05
Offensive foul on Darnell Cowart
10:05
Turnover on Darnell Cowart
9:51
+3
Anfernee McLemore made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by J'Von McCormick
61-73
9:37
Shooting foul on Anfernee McLemore
9:37
Ja Morant missed 1st of 2 free throws
9:37
+1
Ja Morant made 2nd of 2 free throws
62-73
9:30
Bad pass turnover on J'Von McCormick, stolen by Darnell Cowart
9:22
Bad pass turnover on Ja Morant, stolen by J'Von McCormick
9:18
Malik Dunbar missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:16
Defensive rebound by Tevin Brown
9:15
Lost ball turnover on Tevin Brown, stolen by J'Von McCormick
9:02
Bad pass turnover on J'Von McCormick, stolen by Tevin Brown
8:58
Tevin Brown missed layup, blocked by Anfernee McLemore
8:56
Defensive rebound by Chuma Okeke
8:51
+3
Bryce Brown made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by J'Von McCormick
62-76
8:32
Darnell Cowart missed layup
8:30
Offensive rebound by Ja Morant
8:28
Shooting foul on Malik Dunbar
8:28
+1
Ja Morant made 1st of 2 free throws
63-76
8:28
+1
Ja Morant made 2nd of 2 free throws
64-76
8:23
J'Von McCormick missed dunk, blocked by Brion Sanchious
8:21
Offensive rebound by Auburn
8:10
Chuma Okeke missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:08
Defensive rebound by Tevin Brown
7:48
Traveling violation turnover on Shaq Buchanan
7:24
Jared Harper missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:22
Offensive rebound by Samir Doughty
7:00
Out of bounds turnover on Bryce Brown
6:50
+3
Tevin Brown made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Brion Sanchious
67-76
6:23
Jared Harper missed layup, blocked by Ja Morant
6:21
Offensive rebound by Auburn
6:18
Chuma Okeke missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:16
Defensive rebound by Tevin Brown
5:58
+2
Ja Morant made jump shot
69-76
5:49
+2
Austin Wiley made driving layup, assist by Jared Harper
69-78
5:49
Shooting foul on KJ Williams
5:49
+1
Austin Wiley made free throw
69-79
5:35
Shooting foul on Austin Wiley
5:35
+1
Ja Morant made 1st of 2 free throws
70-79
5:35
+1
Ja Morant made 2nd of 2 free throws
71-79
5:23
+3
Chuma Okeke made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Samir Doughty
71-82
5:04
Shaq Buchanan missed layup
5:02
Defensive rebound by Austin Wiley
4:39
Jared Harper missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:37
Defensive rebound by Tevin Brown
4:11
Offensive foul on Shaq Buchanan
4:11
Turnover on Shaq Buchanan
3:51
+3
Chuma Okeke made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jared Harper
71-85
3:27
Shooting foul on Samir Doughty
3:27
Tevin Brown missed 1st of 3 free throws
3:27
+1
Tevin Brown made 2nd of 3 free throws
72-85
3:27
+1
Tevin Brown made 3rd of 3 free throws
73-85
3:00
Bryce Brown missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:58
Defensive rebound by Tevin Brown
2:53
Personal foul on Bryce Brown
2:53
+1
Ja Morant made 1st of 2 free throws
74-85
2:53
+1
Ja Morant made 2nd of 2 free throws
75-85
2:25
Lost ball turnover on Chuma Okeke, stolen by Darnell Cowart
2:21
+2
Darnell Cowart made driving layup
77-85
1:57
Shooting foul on Darnell Cowart
1:57
+1
Samir Doughty made 1st of 2 free throws
77-86
1:57
+1
Samir Doughty made 2nd of 2 free throws
77-87
1:50
Lost ball turnover on Ja Morant, stolen by Chuma Okeke
1:45
+2
Samir Doughty made driving layup
77-89
1:25
+2
Tevin Brown made jump shot, assist by Ja Morant
79-89
55.0
Shooting foul on Shaq Buchanan
55.0
+1
Samir Doughty made 1st of 2 free throws
79-90
55.0
+1
Samir Doughty made 2nd of 2 free throws
79-91
50.0
+3
Tevin Brown made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ja Morant
82-91
46.0
Traveling violation turnover on Chuma Okeke
45.0
Ja Morant missed 3-pt. jump shot
43.0
Offensive rebound by Darnell Cowart
41.0
Shooting foul on Austin Wiley
41.0
+1
Darnell Cowart made 1st of 2 free throws
83-91
41.0
Darnell Cowart missed 2nd of 2 free throws
41.0
Defensive rebound by Austin Wiley
33.0
Bad pass turnover on Jared Harper, stolen by Darnell Cowart
28.0
+2
Shaq Buchanan made alley-oop shot, assist by Ja Morant
85-91
25.0
Bad pass turnover on Chuma Okeke, stolen by Tevin Brown
23.0
+3
Shaq Buchanan made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Tevin Brown