Auburn's Exhibition Thriller: A Nail-Biter Against Oklahoma State
Basketball fans, get ready! The Steven Pearl era tipped off with an exhibition game that had the Boutwell Auditorium buzzing like a real NCAA Tournament showdown. But, it wasn't a fairy tale ending, as Auburn fell just short, losing to Oklahoma State in overtime with a score of 97-95.
Auburn's shooting struggles were evident throughout the game, finishing with a 36% success rate. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State managed to score a significant 48 points in the paint.
A Moment of Concern
More concerning than the stats was the injury scare involving Mississippi State transfer KeShawn Murphy. He had to be helped off the court with just over 4 minutes left in the game. He appeared to have hurt his leg, causing visible pain. Fortunately, he seemed to recover quickly, sitting with his teammates after getting a knee brace.
The Comeback Attempt
Oklahoma State seemed poised to close the game, but Auburn refused to give up. With a strong 19-of-23 performance from the free-throw line in the second half, the Tigers managed to stay in the game. Trailing by 6 points with 3 minutes remaining, Auburn mounted a comeback, tying the score at 80-80 with 1:40 left, thanks to a put-back layup by Hall.
Auburn took the lead briefly, but Oklahoma State responded with a three-pointer. Hall then scored again, tying the game at 85-85. Hall scored 9 consecutive points for Auburn to end regulation.
With the shot clock off, Oklahoma State had the last shot, but Auburn's defense stepped up, forcing a turnover and sending the game into overtime.
Overtime Drama
Oklahoma State, already missing four players due to fouls, started strong in overtime, scoring 5 quick points. Auburn struggled to score, relying on Hall's scoring ability, who managed an and-one, bringing the score to a 2-point difference with 2 minutes left.
Freshman Sebastian Williams-Adams played excellent defense, and Kevin Overton tied the game at 92-92. Oklahoma State took the lead again with a three-pointer, but Tahaad Pettiford responded with a three-pointer of his own. In the final seconds, Auburn trailed 97-95. They went for the tie, but a missed shot sealed their fate.
Offensive Struggles
Auburn's offense struggled to find its rhythm early, starting with a poor 3-of-16 shooting performance. Coach Steven Pearl called a timeout after Oklahoma State went up 23-12. Auburn finished the game with a 36% field goal percentage and 30% from three-point range. Pettiford had a tough night, going 4-of-16 overall. Hall, with 26 points, was a bright spot. Auburn went on a 13-2 run after the timeout, tying the game at 25-25.
Defensive Challenges
Auburn struggled to contain Oklahoma State's drives to the basket, as the Cowboys scored 12 of their first 16 points in the paint. Oklahoma State shot 53% on 2-point baskets. Auburn is replacing key rim protectors, and the Cowboys also had a +9 advantage on the boards.
Auburn couldn't string together defensive stops. Both Hall and Pettiford had to leave the game in the second half due to fouls. Kaden Magwood and Elyjah Freeman scored back-to-back three-pointers, bringing the score to 70-69. Freeman scored 10 of his 16 points in the second half.
The Fouls
It was a sloppy game for both teams, with a total of 56 fouls called: 22 on Auburn and 34 on Oklahoma State.
Auburn's next exhibition game is on October 30 against Memphis in Atlanta.
What are your thoughts on Auburn's performance? Do you think the team will improve its shooting and defense as the season progresses? Share your opinions in the comments below!
