Auburn basketball runs away from Creighton in March Madness, advances to NCAA Sweet 16
After playing rather flat in its first NCAA Tournament game, the No. 1 seed Auburn Tigers found motivation on Saturday and will ride it into the Sweet 16.
Auburn took down No. 9 Creighton on Saturday, 82-70 in Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Star forward Johni Broome had an off night by scoring just eight points with a 31% field goal percentage, but the Tigers found solid production from Chad Baker-Mazara and Denver Jones, who combined to score 32 points in the win. Dylan Cardwell was valuable in many ways by scoring six points, pulling down four rebounds, blocking two shots, and notching three assists.
The biggest stat of the night comes from freshman Tahaad Pettiford, who was stellar off the bench. The freshman guard scored 23 by shooting 50% from the field and went 7-8 from the free throw stripe. He added six rebounds and three assists to his overall total.
How Auburn beat Creighton in March Madness
Auburn basketball played with more urgency in its second-round game over Creighton. After fighting with the Blue Jays in a back-and-forth affair, the Tigers kicked off a 13-4 run with 14:03 remaining in the second half to jump out to a 66-54 lead, which allowed Auburn to cruise to a win.
As expected, bench play played the biggest factor in the game. Auburn's depth added 31 points to their total, led by Tahaad Pettiford's 23-point effort. Chaney Johnson shot 66% from the field and collected eight rebounds.
Auburn also won battles in turnovers and rebounds. Auburn took advantage of 11 Creighton turnovers by turning them into 12 points, all the while committing just seven turnovers themselves. On the boards, Auburn out-rebounded Creighton, 37-27.
What's next for Auburn?
Auburn will face No. 5 seed Michigan in the Sweet 16 next Friday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The Wolverines beat Texas A&M in the second round on Saturday, 91-79.
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Tahaad Pettiford lifts Auburn to March Madness win over Creighton
Topics
-
Who does Michigan play next in March Madness? Auburn or Creighton await in Sweet 16
Michigan basketball will play next weekend in the Sweet 16, with a matchup against either Auburn or Creighton.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
March Madness 2025: No. 1 Auburn pulls away from No. 9 Creighton in second half to advance to Sweet 16
The No. 1 overall seed is heading to the Sweet 16.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Who does Auburn basketball play next in the 2025 NCAA Tournament? Sweet 16 bracket update
No. 1 Auburn smashed No. 9 Creighton on Saturday to advance to the Sweet 16. Who will they play?Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Michigan State beats UNM in second round of 2025 March Madness NCAA basketball tournament
Michigan State beats UNM in second round of 2025 March Madness NCAA basketball tournament. The Lobos finish 27-8, Spartans advance to the Sweet 16.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Who does Lady Vols basketball play next in 2025 NCAA Tournament? Second round bracket update
Lady Vols basketball beat South Florida to advance to the second round of March Madness. See who Tennessee will face for Sweet 16 berth.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Who does Lady Vols basketball play next in 2025 NCAA Tournament? Sweet 16 bracket update
Lady Vols basketball beat Ohio State to advance to the Sweet 16 in March Madness. See who Tennessee will face for Elite Eight berth.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Auburn's Tahaad Pettiford steps up in March Madness win over Creighton
Auburn freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford has played well for the Tigers in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Auburn basketball ready to turn Atlanta regional into Neville Arena East in Sweet 16
Auburn basketball is headed home, sort of, for Sweet 16 in Atlanta. Tigers want to make NCAA Tournament site like Neville Arena East in March Madness.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Michigan basketball survives UC San Diego in March Madness, advances to NCAA second round
Tre Donaldson scored 12 points as Michigan basketball beat UCSD in 1st round of March Madness bracket. Wolverines-Texas A&M next in NCAA tournament.Yahoo Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
MLB Opening Day 2025: Watch baseball's return on Hulu + Live TV
It's time to play ball!Yahoo Sports - 35m -
MLB Opening Day 2025: Watch baseball's return on Hulu + Live TV
It's time to play ball!Yahoo Sports - 35m -
What Kim Mulkey said following LSU's blowout win over San Diego State in NCAA First Round
LSU women's basketball beat San Diego State to advance to the second round. Here are three things LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said after the win.Yahoo Sports - 36m -
What Kim Mulkey said following LSU's blowout win over San Diego State in NCAA First Round
LSU women's basketball beat San Diego State to advance to the second round. Here are three things LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said after the win.Yahoo Sports - 36m -
Monday Leaderboard: Missed three-foot putt costs Sergio Garcia a spot in Open Championship
A missed three-foot putt costs Sergio Garcia a spot in the Open Championship. Plus: Hovland's big win, TGL's championship, and never whack a sprinkler head.Yahoo Sports - 36m
More in Sports
-
MLB Opening Day 2025: Watch baseball's return on Hulu + Live TV
It's time to play ball!Yahoo Sports - 35m -
MLB Opening Day 2025: Watch baseball's return on Hulu + Live TV
It's time to play ball!Yahoo Sports - 35m -
What Kim Mulkey said following LSU's blowout win over San Diego State in NCAA First Round
LSU women's basketball beat San Diego State to advance to the second round. Here are three things LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said after the win.Yahoo Sports - 36m -
What Kim Mulkey said following LSU's blowout win over San Diego State in NCAA First Round
LSU women's basketball beat San Diego State to advance to the second round. Here are three things LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said after the win.Yahoo Sports - 36m -
Monday Leaderboard: Missed three-foot putt costs Sergio Garcia a spot in Open Championship
A missed three-foot putt costs Sergio Garcia a spot in the Open Championship. Plus: Hovland's big win, TGL's championship, and never whack a sprinkler head.Yahoo Sports - 36m