Did critical shot vs Ole Miss restore Auburn basketball's faith in Chaney Johnson? The Tigers never lost it
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Leading up to Ole Miss on Friday, it had been six games since Auburn basketball's Chaney Johnson last splashed a 3-pointer, and there may not have been a better time than SEC Tournament quarterfinals for the senior to find his shot again.
Bruce Pearl and the 1-seed Tigers were tied at 46 points in Bridgestone Arena. Under seven minutes to go meant plenty of time for Auburn (28-4) to take the win, but the clock left too much time for Ole Miss to build momentum with Sean Pedulla on a tear after burying the game-winner to knock out Arkansas one night earlier.
But when Johnson's three swished through the net, the Rebels' confidence was shot, and Auburn went on to a 62-57 win. With the belief of his teammates, the senior had the faith that moments like that weren't out of reach despite a little slump to end the regular season.
Auburn basketball never lost faith in Chaney Johnson
"I did my little celebration giving glory to God, because I was grateful for him allowing me to make that three," Johnson said.
That 3-pointer was Johnson's only basket of the game. He scored a season-high 26 points against Georgia State in non-conference play while his best scoring performance against an SEC team came with 20 vs. Vanderbilt. In Auburn's two regular-season victories over Ole Miss, he scored two points on the road and 13 at home.
"I was like, 'I'm open,' he passed me the ball. I was just so happy it went in," Johnson said of guard Denver Jones, who came through with the defensive board and assist on the play.
Johnson broke down the game-changing moment for reporters in the locker room.
"So the play is a side ball screen, with Johni (Broome) and Denver. They were supposed to attack middle, and normally is supposed to be open in the paint, but my man tagged, because Johni is so great down there, so that kind of opened it up for me," Johnson said.
Although the help from teammates is what ultimately set Auburn up to go on an 11-5 run in the next 4 1/2 minutes, freshman Tahaad Pettiford thinks that Johnson is still capable of rising to the occasion to bank more shots in make-or-break moments down the stretch in March.
"Honestly, I wasn't surprised. Chaney, he's a hard worker," Pettiford said. "He stays in the gym, so that shot is just something he does probably every single day. Not just this time."
At 12 p.m. CT on Saturday, Auburn faces the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between Texas and Tennessee.
"He was open, took the shot in confidence and we all had confidence in him," Pettiford grinned.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Did critical shot vs Ole Miss restore Auburn basketball's faith in Chaney Johnson?
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