Auburn, AL – The Auburn Tigers remained undefeated following a conference showdown with potential No. 1 NBA draft pick Anthony Edwards and the Georgia Bulldogs. Auburn overcame another slow start before finishing with an easy 82-60 victory over the Bulldogs. Auburn took the lead with 5:33 left in the first on half on an Austin Wiley free throw and never trailed again.
Auburn senior guard Samir Doughty (6-4) led the way for the Tigers in scoring with 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, including 2-for-5 from three-point range. Doughty’s three-pointers both came off-the-dribble on step back moves. He has displayed a quick release all season.
Auburn also received great production from bench players, with senior forward Anfernee McLemore (6-7) and freshman wing Allen Flanigan (6-5) each scoring 12 points. Flanigan and fellow freshman Isaac Okoro (6-6) each helped hold Georgia’s Edwards in check for most of the contest. McLemore found success roaming the baseline for lobs and put-backs against Georgia in the half court, and also beat Georgia’s big men down the court on fast break opportunities twice. Flanigan had a career high for the Tigers and played his best overall game shooting 5-of-6 from the field, 2-of-3 from three-point range and pulling down six rebounds. He also added two steals. Okoro had a quiet day with seven points, three blocks and two assists.
Edwards (6-5) led the Bulldogs in scoring with 18 points. However, he struggled most of the game, and scored eight of his points during the final eight minutes of play, after his team was down by more than twenty points. Edwards shot 6-of-15 from the field, including just 2-of-9 from three-point range. He took several attempts from NBA range, but constantly faced pressure from Auburn defenders. Edwards also struggled from the free throw line, shooting just 4-for-11. Rayshaun Hammonds (6-9) was the only other Georgia player in double figures with 12 points and nine rebounds. Hammonds made 2-of-4 from distance, each on catch and shoot attempts.
Both teams will be return to action on Wednesday, as No. 5-ranked Auburn (15-0, 3-0) will travel to Tuscaloosa to face rival Alabama, while Georgia (10-5, 0-2) heads home to face Tennessee.
This article was written by Lee Busby, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
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