April 16, 2024
ATHENS, Ga (AP) — No. 22 Auburn's first Southeastern Conference road game provided a somber reality check for coach Bruce Pearl, who said it's time to get back to work on his backcourt.
Terry Roberts overcame early foul trouble to match his career high with 26 points and Georgia made first-year coach Mike White’s Southeastern Conference debut with the Bulldogs memorable by beating Auburn 76-64 on Wednesday night.
Roberts and backcourt partner Kario Oquendo, who had 17 points, consistently drove past Auburn guards. Pearl said the Bulldogs' 36-28 advantage in points in the paint was the result of the guards driving to the basket.
“Layups,” Pearl said. “Just driving past us. It wasn't the post-up game. ... We've got to figure out a way to not let people get downhill as easily.”
Auburn (11-3, 1-1 SEC) trailed most of the game despite Johni Broome’s 22 points and 12 rebounds. The Tigers couldn’t stage a serious late comeback, pulling no closer than eight points in the final 3 minutes.
Allen Flanigan, with 11 points, was Auburn's only other scorer in double figures. Jaylin Williams, who was averaging 10.3 points, made only 1 of 9 shots from the field and was held to five points.
“We can't win if Jaylin Williams goes 1 for 9, we just can't,” Pearl said.
Auburn had similar matchup problems in their other losses this season to Memphis and Southern California.
“Our problem has been going against really good guards,” Pearl said, adding the Tigers “have got to get better point guard play. ... Keeping guards in front of us has become an issue.”
Georgia (11-3, 1-0) celebrated its SEC opener before 10,232 fans under White, the former Florida coach.
Roberts, a transfer from Bradley, missed much of the first half after picking up two early fouls. The senior guard made 9 of 12 free throws and 8 of 16 shots from the field.
“He was able to finish a lot of baskets,” Broome said of Roberts. “That’s on me.”
Roberts’ 26 points set a season high and matched his career high with Bradley.
“I thought Terry Roberts played fantastic,” White said. “He played with poise; he made good decisions. Considering the defensive prowess of Auburn, I thought Terry really blossomed.”
