The Auburn Tigers secured the SEC Championship on Saturday.
First Half Thoughts
It was a half of runs as the Tigers came out firing with a 9-2 run to begin the game. They opened the game with Walker Kessler leading the way early with a big dunk and wide-open three-point shot. Auburn remained in control throughout the first half but a run by South Carolina got the Gamecocks within two points before another run by Auburn.
Auburn finished the first half on a 24-9 run to close it out. Freshman Jarbai Smith led the way with 15 points and five rebounds.
Second Half Thoughts
As we have seen time and time again, the Auburn offense came out in a shooting slump to begin the half. Over the first four-plus minutes, the Gamecocks got back into the game after falling behind by 19. At one point. The game tightened up at 50-40 with 15:43 to go in the half.
After the Tigers were able to build up another 19-point lead, the Gamecocks just came fighting back. They were able to chip away down to a seven-point game with 1:16 remaining in the second half.
The Tigers found a way after Smith sealed the deal with two late free throws.
Next, the first of three stars of the game.