2015 SEC Tournament Game 1: Auburn 74 Miss State 68

AUBURN WINS! AUBURN WINS! AUBURN WINS!  We're in the Schwarzenegger Hard Barnin' Universe so here's the only highlight you need from tonight's option:

In the first SEC Tournament game under Bruce Pearl, Auburn ends a five year losing streak in the tournament, beating Miss State 74-68.  I know most of you are saying "hey any idiot could do that." Well, it was tough for us so BACK OFF!

This was a game of streaks.  Auburn and Miss State played close for most of the first half.  Miss State threatened to pull away at the end of the half but KT Harrell kept us in the game:

The Tigers got hot in the second half and built an eleven point lead behind the play of rising stars TJ Lang and Jordon Granger:

But as fast as the lead was built, it crumbled.  In the span of a minute and a half, Auburn went from a double digit lead to a two point hole.  It triggered panic attacks in Auburn faithful everywhere who had seen too many games go bad quickly.

But the Tigers didn't panic.  They went on another run and slowly built a lead they wouldn't give back again.  Miss State seemed to build their defensive gameplan around sending Cinmeon Bowers to the free throw line.  Auburn played long stretches in the second half without Cinmeon Bowers and seemed to confuse State with a smaller, more aggressive lineup.

Senior KC Ross-Miller led the Tigers with 21 points and 7 rebounds.  KT Harrell was next with 19.  Alex Thompson came out of nowhere for 16 points including going 3-3 from beyond the arc.

The Tigers outrebounded State 34-27.  This was the best rebounding effort I've seen from the Tigers all year.  No Tiger had more than seven rebounds but Auburn's guards were following shots and picking up rebounds they haven't gotten much this year.  Auburn's press was also effective forcing State to call timeout on a couple of inbound plays.

This was one of Auburn's best games of the season.  We could have folded but didn't.  Next we face Texas A&M who is without Danuel House, the 6'7" guard who averages 14 PPG.  House has scored 37 points in the two games against Auburn this year so that's a huge loss for the Aggies.

Auburn has won 1 SEC tournament game in the last 11 tournaments.  Bruce has the chance to double that tomorrow.  Until then, enjoy tonight and War Eagle everybody!