Auburn pulled off an impressive upset against Houston with a final score of 74-69 on Saturday night. The win was particularly noteworthy as it came on the heels of a flight incident involving two players from the Auburn team.
Tahaad Pettiford led the charge for Auburn with an impressive 21 points, including five 3-pointers, while Johni Broome contributed 20 points and nine rebounds to secure the victory. Despite the drama surrounding the flight to Houston, Auburn managed to stay focused and deliver a strong performance on the court.
The flight disruption was caused by a scuffle between reserves Jahki Howard and Ja’Heim Hudson, although sources indicated that the situation was quickly resolved and did not escalate further. As a result, the flight had to be grounded temporarily before a replacement flight was arranged for the team.
In the game itself, Chaney Johnson also made a significant contribution with 11 points and 10 rebounds for Auburn. Broome and Pettiford stepped up in the second half, scoring a combined 31 points to secure the win for the Tigers.
On the Houston side, L.J. Cryer and Emanuel Sharp each scored 13 points, with J’Wan Roberts adding 12 points and seven rebounds to the team’s efforts. Despite their best efforts, Houston was unable to maintain their lead in the final minutes of the game, allowing Auburn to pull ahead and secure the victory.
After Houston briefly regained the lead at 67-66, Auburn’s Chad Baker-Mazara made a crucial jumper followed by two free throws to give the Tigers a three-point lead with less than a minute remaining. Cryer’s missed jumper and Denver Jones’ subsequent free throws further extended Auburn’s lead, ultimately sealing the win for the team.
Overall, Auburn’s victory against Houston was a testament to their resilience and ability to overcome off-court distractions. The team’s strong performance in the face of adversity underscores their potential for a successful season ahead.
