AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Johni Broome had 20 points and 12 rebounds as No. 2 Auburn withstood a late Texas rally for an 87-82 victory Tuesday night to give coach Bruce Pearl the school record for career wins.
Auburn (14-1, 2-0 SEC) led by 21 in the second half, and bullied the Longhorns with its size and length for long stretches, only to watch Texas fight back behind Arthur Kaluma and Jordan Pope to get within three in the final minute.
Denver Jones and Tahaad Pettiford made four free throws over the final 17 seconds to seal it.
Pearl earned victory No. 214 in his 11th season at Auburn, pushing him past Joel Eaves, who coached the Tigers from 1949-63.
Kaluma had 34 points for Texas (11-4, 0-2) on 12-of-16 shooting. Pope scored 17 of his 19 in the second half. Kaluma’s 3-pointer with 50 seconds left and Pope’s two free throws pulled Texas to 83-80.
Auburn: The Tigers are in prime position to reach No. 1 next week after top-ranked Tennessee was routed by Florida 73-43 on Tuesday night.
Texas: The Longhorns were dominated in the paint 48-16 during a 20-point loss to Texas A&M in their previous game. Texas was much tougher around the basket this time, and matched Auburn’s 28 points in the paint.
Broome put Auburn ahead by 10 on a buzzer-beating jumper with 1:23 left, but was then called for a technical foul. Pope made two free throws, and a jumper by Tre Johnson had Texas threatening again.
Texas had just one assist and no 3-pointers in the first half.
Both teams play Saturday. Auburn plays at South Carolina, and Texas hosts No. 1 Tennessee.
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