With Auburn down two points and 11:33 to go in the second half of the Tigers’ season finale against Mississippi State, Allen Flanigan decided it was time for him to take over.
“I knew the game was close, and I had to step up and start making plays,” Flanigan said. “I just took advantage of how guys were closing out and playing, and I just shot the driving lanes.”
Two straight layups and a three from the sophomore guard gave Auburn a 57-55 lead and the Tigers never trailed again, pulling out a 78-71 victory and ending the season with two victories in three games.
“That means a lot,” Flanigan said. “Just having the confidence and just being happy going into the offseason. You don’t ever want to go into the offseason feeling down or bad just because of the last couple games and how they unfolded. But just us getting that win tonight, that was a big one.”
Here’s everything else Flanigan had to say after the victory:
On the potential of JT Thor…
“The potential for JT is through the roof. He’s big, 6-10, 6-11. He can shoot the ball. He can put it on the floor. He can guard 1 through 5. Just him taking advantage of the weight room this summer during the offseason and him getting bigger and stronger, it will be a scary sight next season.”
On the difference in the second half…
“The first half, we were rushing it a lot, taking the first show we got. The second half, we were more patient and just let the offense unfold, and we took open shots.”
