Tigers Win Hoops Opener 102-74

When I was younger, my dad told me a joke about his aunt who went to some high school named Norfolk somewhere. I don’t think it was based in truth, but either way, the punchline of the joke was that their team cheer for athletic events was:

“WE DON’T DRINK, WE DON’T SMOKE, NORFOLK, NORFOLK, NORFOLK!”

I didn’t get the innuendo until I was older, but it’s pretty good.

If it was a true story, it’s about all that Norfolk State had going for it tonight as Auburn dominated without Austin Wiley and Danjel Purifoy on the way to a 102-74 win. Bryce Brown led the way with 31 points for the Tigers as Auburn starts the 2017-18 season at 1-0.

Auburn outscored the Spartans 46-16 in the paint, helped out in large part by 23 of Brown’s 31 points coming from inside the three-point arc. Without Wiley and Purifoy, much of the onus fell on Brown to contribute, and he did in spades.

Norfolk went without its top two scorers on the night as well, and Wiley watched the game from the bench in sweats. Purifoy wasn’t at the game due to wisdom teeth surgery.

DeSean Murray and Jared Harper each added 13 points for Auburn, While Mustapha Heron and Anfernee McLemore each scored 10. Auburn led 49-32 at halftime and cruised in the second half to the 28-point victory.

Up next for the Tigers is a date with Indiana State at the Charleston Classic next Thursday. Auburn will play three games in four days next Thursday, Friday, and Sunday in Charleston.