AUBURN, Ala. – Johni Broome dominated Virginia Tech to the tune of 30 points and 13 rebounds to lead Auburn to a 74-57 victory in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge Wednesday at Neville Arena, the Tigers’ fifth straight win and 48TH consecutive non-conference home triumph.

 

Valuing possessions at an elite level, Auburn committed a season-low eight turnovers while forcing 21, leading to a commanding 30-5 lead in points off turnovers. 

 

Tre Donaldson scored seven consecutive Auburn points early in the second half to restore the Tigers’ double-digit lead after Virginia Tech had gotten within seven. 

 

Broome took over from there, scoring 14 points in the second half after netting 16 in the first.

 

The Tigers won by 17 points despite making only 2 of 16 3-point attempts, holding Virginia Tech 27.5-percent shooting. 

 

Students in The Jungle, who filled their courtside seats 90 minutes before tipoff, chanted “SEC, SEC!” as the game concluded.  

 

Auburn led 33-24 at the half after holding the Hokies to 33-percent shooting and forcing 12 turnovers while committing only four. 

 

The Tigers took an early 18-4 lead with Baker-Mazara accounting for half of those points, including going 5-fo-5 from the free-throw line. Baker-Mazara filled up the box score in the half with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.

 

Broome stole a pass, left the ball for Aden Holloway and sprinted downcourt to receive and slam Holloway’s no-look lob to put Auburn ahead 25-10. 

 

After a 9-0 Virginia Tech run pulled the Hokies within six points, Broome stopped the run with a dunk, then made a pair of free throws before VT scored the last four points of the half.

 

Both teams struggled from 3-point range in the half, with Chaney Johnson accounting for Auburn’s only make in 11 attempts while the Hokies were 1-for-7. 

 

Auburn (5-1) travels to Boone, North Carolina, Saturday to play Appalachian State at noon CT on ESPN2.