Broome's double-double helps Auburn beat SE Louisiana, give Pearl milestone win
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Johni Broome scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Auburn shook off Southeastern Louisiana 86-71 on Friday night for the Tigers' first win of the season and giving Bruce Pearl a milestone victory.
Pearl broke a third-place tie with Sonny Smith, picking up his 174th win in his 10th season at Auburn. Joel Eaves had 213 wins and Cliff Ellis 186.
Broome, who scored 12 second-half points, also had a double-double in the Tigers' loss to No. 20 Baylor in their opener on Tuesday. K.D. Johnson added 13 points, Chad Baker-Mazara had 12 and Aden Holloway 11.
Roger McFarlane hit four 3-pointers and scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Lions. Roscoe Eastmond added 15 points and Nick Caldwell scored all of his 10 points in the second half.
Donaldson and Broome opened the second half with 3-pointers to give Auburn (1-1) a 17-point lead. The Lions (1-1) got back within single digits a couple times in the final eight minutes but the Tigers repelled them with Johnson, Holloway and Denver Jones hitting 3-pointers along the way.
Auburn led 20-6 midway through the first half before McFarlane hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored eight straight points to get the Lions' deficit down to six. But Holloway responded with a 3-pointer and a layup and Johnson a pair of free throws for a 13-point edge. Auburn led 39-28 at the break.
Auburn's bench outscored the Lions' bench 46-9.
Jaylin Williams, who had nine points, became winningest player in Auburn history with 88 victories. The Tigers have won 46 consecutive nonconference home games at Neville Arena
Auburn plays Notre Dame in the Legends Classic in New York on Thursday. SE Louisiana plays at BYU on Wednesday.
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