Auburn, AL. (EETV) -- A dunk so powerful it made the stadium shake, literally. What better way to christen the first home game of conference play?
The Auburn men's basketball team remains perfect as they defeated Vanderbilt 83-79 in Auburn Arena.
After struggling with several slow starts, the Tigers had to prove if they could withstand the speed of these SEC teams. This seemed to be no challenge to head coach Bruce Pearl’s “six seniors.”
“We don’t have five seniors, we have six. {Okoro} plays like a senior,” said Pearl.
Actual freshman forward Isaac Okoro continued to play a vital role in Auburn's success, putting up 17 points in the first half.
“He’s not afraid of the moment,” said Pearl.
That proved true as Okoro attacked the basket every time he had the ball. Anfernee McLemore, who struggled shooting against Mississippi State, found his rhythm with 14 points in the first half.
A slow start was not what the Tigers showed against a resilient Vanderbilt team, although they would need more than speed as Vanderbilt answered each Auburn score with one of their own.
Auburn went into halftime with a 4-point lead, 42-38.
The second quarter consisted of a free-throw shoot out, one that Austin Wiley won going 9-10.
With a back-and-forth scoring thriller, Vanderbilt remained within 4 points with less than two minutes of gametime left.
Again, free throws and hard fought defense was the game sealer for the Tigers. J’Von McCormick knocked down two free throws to keep the Tigers perfect.
Pearl still seeks improvement from his undefeated team.
“We are a good team; still not very good.”
Auburn will have the chance to prove just how good they can be as they continue to work their way through the SEC.
