Virginia
Stevenson’s 31 leads West Virginia over No. 15 Auburn
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Erik Stevenson scored a career-high 31 factors and West Virginia withstood a livid late rally from No. 15 Auburn to beat the Tigers 80-77 within the SEC/Huge 12 Problem on Saturday.
The Mountaineers (13-8) have received two straight for the primary time in a month and now head into the enamel of the Huge 12 schedule that may decide an NCAA Event berth.
With Charles Barkley cheering on his alma mater from a courtside seat, Auburn (16-5) couldn’t overcome one other gradual begin. The Tigers by no means led within the sport and have misplaced two straight for the primary time in two years.
Stevenson had 18 first-half factors on 6 of 9 capturing, together with three 3-pointers that staked the Mountaineers to a 45-29 halftime lead.
Auburn’s two prime scorers, Wendell Inexperienced Jr. and Johni Broome, have been restricted to a mixed three factors within the first half. They led a cost after the break and Auburn trimmed the deficit to 66-65 on Broome’s layup with 5:16 left.
However the Tigers by no means went forward. Broome’s layup with 7.6 seconds left trimmed Auburn’s deficit to 79-77. Stevenson then capped the scoring by making one among two free throws. Inexperienced’s potential-tying 3-pointer on the buzzer was quick.
Jimmy Bell Jr. added 15 factors for the Mountaineers.
Jaylin Williams led Auburn with 18 factors. Broome added 15 and Allen Flanigan scored 13.
BIG PICTURE
Auburn: The Tigers might want to regroup with key matchups looming within the subsequent two weeks in opposition to No. 4 Tennessee and No. 2 Alabama, wrapped round rematches in opposition to groups they’ve already misplaced to — Georgia and Texas A&M.
West Virginia: The schedule doesn’t get any simpler for the Mountaineers both, with seven video games in opposition to ranked foes over the ultimate 11 regular-season contests.
UP NEXT
Auburn: Hosts Georgia on Wednesday. The Bulldogs beat the Tigers 76-64 on Jan. 4.
West Virginia: Travels to No. 11 TCU on Tuesday. The Mountaineers beat the Horned Frogs 74-65 on Jan. 18.
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