Johni Broome scored 26 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, leading No. 1 Auburn to a 87-74 victory over LSU on Wednesday night in Baton Rouge, La. This win marked Auburn’s 12th straight.
Miles Kelly contributed 13 points, Chad Baker-Mazara added 11, and Tahaad Pettiford scored 10.
Auburn (19-1, 7-0 Southeastern Conference) had an easier time in this game compared to their last three road wins, which were by two points (Georgia), three points (South Carolina), and five points (Texas). They built a 12-point lead by halftime and maintained at least a five-point advantage throughout the second half.
LSU (12-8, 1-6) was led by Cam Carter, who scored 24 points, Dji Bailey with 13, and Jordan Sears who added 11.
Auburn started the second half strong, with Denver Jones hitting a 3-pointer to make it 44-29. LSU responded with a 3-pointer from Carter and a putback layup from Corey Chest to cut the deficit to eight, but Auburn quickly answered with six straight points.
Sears made a four-point play and followed up with a 3-pointer, helping LSU pull within 55-50. Pettiford and Chaney Johnson both hit 3-pointers to increase Auburn’s lead to 63-52.
LSU managed to get within six points twice, but Broome scored four quick points to push Auburn’s lead to 77-66. LSU cut it to nine, but Johnson’s 3-pointer with 3:24 left put Auburn ahead by 12 again.
LSU started the game with the first six points, but Kelly’s eight points helped Auburn tie the score at 14. Jones’ layup tied it again at 16, and Auburn then went on a 12-0 run to take a 26-16 lead.
Sears’ layup broke a four-minute scoring drought for LSU, and Carter’s free throws brought the deficit to six. Baker-Mazara completed a three-point play, extending Auburn’s lead to 33-22.
Auburn reached its biggest lead of 13 points before heading into halftime with a 41-29 advantage. Their control of the game came in part from a 15-8 advantage in points off turnovers, as LSU committed 15 turnovers, and a 24-10 lead in points in the paint.
