Bruce Pearl put a premium on improving Auburn’s defense this offseason and those visions were realized as his team blasted Indiana State, 83-64, in the first round of the Charleston Classic.
The Tigers held the Sycamores to just 30 percent from the floor, with Indiana State only connecting on 6 of 20 attempts from 3-point land.
FINAL | Auburn 83, Indiana St. 64
The Tigers will face the winner of Old Dominion/Temple tomorrow at 10 a.m. CT in the 2nd round of the @ESPNCharleston. #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/fHAv4lYp8n
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) November 16, 2017
Meanwhile, the defensive pressure was excellent as Auburn forced 21 turnovers and scored 25 points off those turnovers, which has always been something that Pearl loves to have from his teams.
Bryce Brown led four Tigers in double figures with 15 points while Desean Murray scored 14 and Mustapha Heron and Chuma Okeke each added 11 on the day.
Horace Spencer was a key factor as well in grabbing eight rebounds and racking up three blocked shots.
The Tigers took a 17-9 lead over the game’s first eight minutes as their on-ball defensive pressure rattled the Sycamores and proved to be a mainstay for the game, leading to the aforementioned numerous turnovers and scoring opportunities.
The disruption of passing lanes was a major key against an Indiana State squad that had taken down Indiana by 21 in its season opener.
The Sycamores knocked down 17 of 26 3-pointers in that game, and it was clear that Pearl and his staff had Auburn ready to defend the perimeter at a high level.
The Tigers also owned a 45-37 advantage on the boards, with Auburn grabbed 12 offensive rebounds and scoring 15 second chance points.
Pearl’s squad was just as dominant in the point, scoring 38 points in the lane in the game.
Auburn will face Temple on Friday in the second round of the event.