Auburn fans didn’t have to sit on the edge of their seats in hopes of watching their Tigers squeeze out a victory against a mid-major foe on Thursday night.
No. 20 Auburn cruised to a 95-57 win over Merrimack at Neville Arena, tallying its second win of the season.
Here are the biggest takeaways of the game:
Auburn steps up defensively
The Tigers didn’t do much to impress, defensively, in their season opener against Bethune-Cookman, as the Wildcats shot over 50% from the field and from deep and had two players go for more than 20 points.
But Auburn answered the bell on Thursday against the Warriors, allowing them to shoot just 29% from the field. In the first half, Merrimack shot a woeful 19% on just six made baskets, despite Auburn only netting 13 of its 29.
Allowing 44 points in the paint on Monday, Auburn gave up just 14 points down low on Thursday, recording five blocks and out-rebounding the Warriors 55-24.
Keyshawn Hall goes for a double-double
If you don’t know Hall’s name by now, you should.
After pouring in a game-high 28 points in his Auburn debut on Monday, Hall made it back-to-back games with 20+ points, scoring another game-high 25 points while adding 14 rebounds for the first double-double in an orange and blue jersey this season.
Hall was 6 of 9 from the floor and cashed in on 12 of 13 free throws, just one game after coming up two shy of the Neville Arena record of 18 free throws made in a single game.
Expect more Emeka Opurum moving forward
The knock on Auburn’s defense in its first exhibition game and in its season-opener was its inability to defend the painted area, which was sure to come after four straight years of Walker Kessler, Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell.
But the Tigers found some help down low on Thursday night.
After not recording any playing time on Monday, Opurum got in on the action in the early goings, as starting center KeShawn Murphy sat out while nursing an ankle that he rolled against Bethune-Cookman.
Opurum immediately made his presence known down low on the defensive end and notched his first points of the season down low just moments after entering the game.
He finished his night with 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks.
Opurum showed great ability to get up and down the floor, and you obviously have to account for his 7-foot frame down low. If Auburn can bring him along, it immediately turns the Tigers into a different-looking team – giving it an extra contender down low in addition to Murphy.
Tigers get deep into the rotation
Auburn played 13 guys on Thursday night, 11 scholarship players, and with the addition of Opurum, head coach Steven Pearl learned that Auburn once again can lean on its depth.
All but one Tiger, who tallied double-digit minutes, scored. Tahaad Pettiford (13) and Sebastian Williams-Adams (14) -- who earned his first career start on Thursday -- both scored double figures in addition to Opurum and Hall.
Additionally, Auburn cashed in on 28 bench points.
Auburn will return to action next Tuesday as it hosts Wofford to cap off a three-game home stand. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on SECN+.
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