AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) – No. 1 Auburn got off to a quick start and never trailed in its 86-68 victory over Oklahoma in the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday at Auburn Arena. The victory extends Auburn’s winning streak to 17 games.
Auburn’s lead stretched to as many as 14 points before going into halftime leading 39-27 over the Sooners. Walker Kessler led Auburn with 13 points in the first half and was 6-8 from the field. Kessler finished the game with 21 points, two 3-pointers, nine rebounds and four blocks.
"My teammates really encouraged me to keep shooting," Kessler said. "Hats off to my teammates and coaching staff."
After being held to five points against Missouri, Jabari Smith bounce backed with a double-double on Saturday. Smith had 11 points in the first half before finishing the game with a team-high 23 points. Smith also had 12 rebounds to complete his double-double.
“It’s a long season, I try not to dwell on (a bad game) too much and not let it affect my confidence," Smith said. "Just get ready for the next game."
Head coach Bruce Pearl, who agreed to an eight-year contract extension with Auburn Friday evening, praised Smith and Kessler’s performance against Oklahoma.
"We had an advantage on the front line, and we took advantage of it," Pearl said. "Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler were dominant. That was a key."
Oklahoma pulled within three points of Auburn midway into the second half. Auburn’s Devan Cambridge responded by scoring five straight points for the Tigers. Cambridge finished the game with seven points and five rebounds coming off the bench.
"He's a freak athlete and he's got heart," Kessler said of Cambridge. "Getting those rebounds set the tone for our team. The reason we're so good is our bench and the depth we have."
Auburn’s bench finished with 17 points, including eight points from sophomore Dylan Cardwell.
The Tigers outscored Oklahoma 38-24 in points from the paint and scored 16 points off of Oklahoma’s turnovers.
"Great atmosphere in Auburn Arena," Pearl said. "This (Big 12/SEC) Challenge matters. We got better tonight."
Auburn honored former head coach Sonny Smith in a pregame banner hanging ceremony. Smith coached Auburn from 1978-89, leading the Tigers to their first Sweet 16 and Elite Eight appearances in program history.
With the victory, Auburn improves its record to 20-1 on the season, while Oklahoma falls to 13-8.
Auburn returns to action on Tuesday night to host in-state rival Alabama, who is coming off of an 87-78 win over No. 4 Baylor. Auburn defeated Alabama, 81-77, in Tuscaloosa on Jan. 11 in the season’s first meeting. Tip-off at Auburn Arena is set for 8 p.m. CT and the game can be seen on ESPN.
