Former Auburn University football star Terry Beasley passed away at the age of 73 on Wednesday. The Moody police department received a call to his residence, where they discovered him with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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The No. 16 Auburn basketball team, still grappling with challenges on the road and the quest for a significant Quad 1 victory, showcased one of its strongest second-half performances of the season in a 91-77 triumph over Ole Miss.
Leading up to Saturday’s game, Auburn, with an 18-4 overall record and a 7-2 conference record, had remained unbeaten against opponents categorized in Quads 2, 3, and 4. However, all four of its defeats had occurred in Quad 1 matchups. Thus, despite the absence of any glaring losses, Auburn lacked a noteworthy triumph.
That narrative shifted on Saturday as Auburn secured a 2-0 series sweep against Ole Miss.
Here are three key takeaways:
1. Auburn Secures a Quad 1 Win:
The standout element of this game transcends statistics; it marks a significant milestone for Auburn. Finally, Auburn can boast a Quad 1 victory on its record, a crucial addition to its resume.
A win against a team ranked within the top 75 of the NET rankings in a genuine away game qualifies as a Quad 1 triumph. Ole Miss, positioned at No. 59, met this criterion, contributing to Auburn’s breakthrough.
Prior to Saturday, Auburn had suffered four defeats in Quad 1 contests, three of which occurred in genuine away games. These losses, totaling a mere 15 points, presented formidable challenges for Auburn.
Now, Auburn has triumphed over the adversity, clinching a pivotal win against a resurgent Ole Miss squad on the road. While this victory may not serve as the cornerstone of Auburn’s resume, it undeniably stands out as one of the team’s most impressive performances this season.
2. Auburn’s Second-Half Resilience:
Although Auburn has grappled with road struggles throughout the season, particularly concerning its offense, the team has consistently maintained a robust defense. Even in previous road losses, Auburn’s defense remained resilient, providing opportunities for victory.
In the first half against Ole Miss, Auburn’s defensive prowess seemed to falter, allowing 44 points and a 52% shooting rate. However, echoing its second-half resurgence against Alabama, Auburn’s defense rallied in the latter half.
Against Ole Miss, Auburn limited its opponent to a mere 33 points in the second half. Following Ole Miss’ 44-29 lead, Auburn orchestrated an impressive turnaround, outscoring Ole Miss 62-35 for the remainder of the game.
3. Strategic Offensive Adjustments:
A critical aspect of Auburn’s victory lies in its strategic offensive adjustments, particularly in shot selection. In the aftermath of a loss to Mississippi State, Coach Pearl emphasized the importance of selective shot-taking, highlighting the detrimental impact of missed shots on Auburn’s offensive output.
Initially, Auburn exhibited a tendency to launch numerous shots, a trend that persisted in previous road games. However, against Ole Miss, Auburn’s offensive approach evolved, particularly in the second half.
Auburn drastically reduced its reliance on three-point attempts in the second half, prioritizing interior scoring. This strategic shift yielded favorable results, as Auburn capitalized on points in the paint, accumulating 32 points in the second half alone.
Moreover, Auburn’s offensive efficiency soared in the second half, with a remarkable 73% shooting accuracy. Key contributors such as Johni Broome and Chad Baker-Mazara significantly bolstered Auburn’s offensive output, with Broome tallying 15 points and Baker-Mazara contributing 12.
Ultimately, Auburn’s adept strategic adjustments and offensive execution propelled the team to a dominant second-half performance, showcasing its resilience and potential for success moving forward.
