Auburn Tops Oregon 84-73 in Players Era Championship

LAS VEGAS – Tahaad Pettiford scored 24 points to lead No. 21 Auburn to an 84-73 victory over Oregon on Monday at Michelob ULTRA Arena in the Players Era Championship.

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl praised his team’s performance, stating, “Really good win. We showed a lot of grit and toughness.” Pettiford, who was 8 of 13 on 2-point shots and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line, also had four assists and four rebounds.

Returning from an ankle injury, Keyshawn Hall played a team-high 36 minutes and added 18 points, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line along with six rebounds. Hall commented, “I wanted to get back out there so (athletic trainer) Clark (Pearson) had me grinding every day.”

Auburn limited its turnovers to six while forcing Oregon into 18, creating a 14-7 edge in points off turnovers. Pearl noted, “Our guys did a better job of being more intentional and aggressive defensively. We made plays late, which was really important.”

The teams were tied at 37-37 at halftime, but Pettiford opened the second half with a key 3-pointer. Freshman Takai Simpkins then pushed Auburn ahead with a jumper midway through the half. This sparked a 10-0 run, highlighting Auburn’s dominance down the stretch.

Freeman contributed significantly with four steals and six rebounds, while Oregon’s Takai Simpkins led his team with 22 points. The Ducks made efforts to rally, cutting Auburn’s lead to five points twice, but Hall’s late three-pointer solidified the Tigers’ victory.

Pettiford’s performance was crucial for Auburn (5-1), who faces No. 7 Michigan on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. CT on TNT and the Auburn Sports Network. Pearl expressed confidence about future challenges, stating, “It’s going to be a challenge and our guys are excited about it.”