"We just made sure we stayed composed": Bruce Pearl reveals strategy Auburn used in 83-62 win over Furman in exhibition game

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl commanded his players to pressure the Furman Paladins ballhandlers from tip-off against Furman.

The strategy worked for the Tigers, who eased their way to an 83-62 game in the exhibition game on Sunday.

The tuneup game victory at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, kicks off Auburn's 2024-25 college basketball campaign on a positive note.

The Tigers played like a well-oiled machine on the defensive end, forcing 18 turnovers that handed them 24 points.

Pearl praised his players for following his defensive game plan perfectly, knowing that his squad might have been rusty after a long offseason break.

“We made sure, when we came in here, to pressure them." Pearl said. "That was part of the game plan today.

"We put a lot of pressure on their ball handlers to take them out of their shots. They made a little run and it’s a game of runs. We just made sure we stayed composed.”

The Tigers bucked a 10-of-36 start to take the win. Their defense forced the Paladins to shoot a measly 36% from the field and 24% from 3-point range.

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Johni Broome, Auburn bench players shine in convincing win over Furman

Returning center-forward Johni Broome was in his usual workmanlike self for Auburn, tallying a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds. However, Broome's production wasn't the only story in the exhibition game.

The Tigers reserves dropped 50 points to bury the Paladins, with freshmen Tahaad Pettiford and Jahki Howard doing the damage. Pettiford finished with 13 points, two rebounds, three assists and three steals in 24 minutes, while Howard came up with 10 points, one rebound, two assists, one block and two steals in 23 minutes.

Auburn shot 43%, and five players scored in double figures. Tigers coach Bruce Pearl was satisfied with the team's energy in the tuneup game. He's hoping that it will be better in the coming days, especially during their opening game in the regular season.

"When we look back at the tape, we will like where we got the ball," Pearl said. "We just didn’t finish or execute. I thought our energy was okay, and I hope that we can build it up a bit."

Auburn will play another exhibition game on Friday, against FAU at the Neville Arena, before playing Vermont in its first regular season game on Nov. 6.

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