| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- Auburn's big men spent the summer improving their games.
So far it's worked.
Mamadou N'diaye had career highs of 21 points and 18 rebounds
and Chris Porter scored 20 as No. 3 Auburn overwhelmed
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 100-44 Sunday.
Porter spent his days shooting 350 3-pointers a day in an effort
to move his game out. N'diaye went to a camp for centers to work on
a little bit of everything.
Both showcased their efforts early against the Golden Lions
(1-2).
Porter came out firing by hitting two long jumpers -- one that
was just inches short of being a 3-pointer -- he drove through the
lane for an easy layup, then ended his run with a 3-pointer.
The preseason All-American, who was just 4-of-13 for 10 points
in Auburn's season-opening win over UAB, was 8-of-15 from the floor Sunday and had 11 rebounds.
Meanwhile, N'diaye picked up where he left off. The 7-foot
center had a career-high 14 rebounds against UAB, and had almost
matched that figure by halftime with 11. He was also 11-of-16 from
the line.
"It helped to go (to the camp) and play against some of the big
guys in the nation," N'diaye said. "I am more relaxed and
stronger, too."
Arkansas-Pine Bluff coach Harold Blevins said he noticed the
difference in N'diaye, who played against the Lions four years ago.
"Three years later, the way he's playing, he's going to make
some money playing basketball," Blevins said. "He's really
improved dramatically since then."
So have the Tigers (2-0), who bounced back from Friday's sloppy
season-opening win over UAB by dominating the overmatched Lions
from start to finish.
Porter opened the game by scoring nine of Auburn's first 11
points -- on 4-of-5 shooting -- and helping the Tigers take an 11-4
lead.
Auburn slowly pulled away from there, forcing 12 first-half
turnovers in opening a 43-16 lead.
"Coach told us not to pay attention to the opponent today, but
to pay attention to our game," forward Daymeon Fishback said. "He
told us to be patient and not rush things. I think you can see that
in the score tonight."
The Tigers started the second half with a 12-1 run and kept
Arkansas-Pine Bluff from scoring through the first four minutes.
The Lions missed their first seven shots, ending the drought on
Troy Brown's layup at the 15:52 mark.
Auburn outrebounded the Lions 63-40, shot 44 percent and had
only nine turnovers in the blowout.
"When you come in and play the No. 3 team in the country, you
know it's going to be tough," Blevins said. "But I had no idea
they could shoot the basketball like that."
The biggest cheer of the game came when backup Abe Smith, a fan
favorite, hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Auburn 100 points.
It was a far better effort from the Tigers' disappointing 65-59
win over UAB, when they shot just 33 percent and had 18 turnovers.
Auburn coach Cliff Ellis later said the Tigers were selfish on
offense and unable to put away the Blazers.
Against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, it was never a problem.
"I thought our effort was very good," Ellis said. "The main
thing is I think our team had confidence they would play better."
Jay Heard had 14 points for the Tigers, Scott Pohlman added 11
and Daymeon Fishback had 10. Doc Robinson had 11 assists.
The Lions got a team-high 10 points from Brown. They shot just
28 percent for the game and were 3-of-18 from 3-point range.
| |
ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Arkansas Pine Bluff Clubhouse
Auburn Clubhouse
|
