Tigers defeat UNC – AuburnSports: Auburn Tigers football and basketball recruiting

A tough schedule hasn’t slowed Auburn down one bit.

The fourth-seeded Tigers beat their third-seeded opponent in six games with an 85-72 win over No. 12 North Carolina in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational on Tuesday night.

“Our guys started both halves really well,” AU coach Bruce Pearl told the Auburn Network. “Johni Brome was dominant.”

Auburn, which improves to 6-0, previously defeated No. 4 Houston on Nov. 9 and No. 5 Iowa State on Monday night.

Broome again led Auburn with 23 points and a career-high 19 rebounds, recording the 64th double-double of his career. He scored 18 of his points in the first half, along with five assists and three blocked shots.

“I came out and did my best and we came out victorious,” Broome said. “I just did everything I could to help my team win. I had to come out early and give us a spark.”

Auburn had five other players in double figures: Miles Kelly added 15 points, Chad Baker-Mazara 14, Chaney Johnson 11, Denver Jones 10 and Tahaad Pettiford 10.

Johnson added eight rebounds.

Auburn led 40-32 at halftime and then opened the second half with a 12-2 run to build an 18-point lead. AU was in the lead by double digits most of the rest of the way.

The Tigers scored 15 points off 10 UNC turnovers and outrebounded the Tar Heels 42-36.

Auburn plays Memphis in the championship game Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. CT on ESPN.