Free-Throw Line Lifts Auburn Past South Carolina, 71–67
Game Recap
Auburn leaned on interior scoring and a strong night at the free-throw line to defeat South Carolina 71–67 in a closely contested SEC matchup on Jan. 17. The Tigers set the tone early, taking a 30–24 lead into halftime after controlling the paint and forcing South Carolina into tough half-court possessions.
The Gamecocks responded in the second half, tightening defensively and finding more offensive rhythm. South Carolina cut the deficit multiple times and stayed within striking distance late, shooting 40% from the field and knocking down eight three-pointers. However, Auburn’s ability to convert free throws and score inside allowed the Tigers to hold off the comeback attempt.
Auburn finished the night shooting 23-of-30 from the free-throw line (77%), compared to South Carolina’s 13-of-20 (65%), a key difference in a four-point game.
Player of the Game
Filip Jović (Auburn)
Jović provided the spark Auburn needed, pouring in a game-high 23 points off the bench on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting performance. His scoring consistency helped Auburn weather South Carolina’s second-half push and maintain control during critical stretches.
Turnovers
Both teams were active defensively, but Auburn capitalized slightly more on South Carolina’s mistakes.
South Carolina: 15 turnovers
Auburn: 11 turnovers
Each team scored 10 points off turnovers, but Auburn’s 10 steals disrupted South Carolina’s offensive flow and limited transition opportunities.
Penalties and Tempo
The contest was physical but disciplined. South Carolina committed 21 personal fouls, while Auburn was assessed 18. Auburn consistently attacked the basket, finishing with a commanding 42–26 advantage in points in the paint, which led to frequent trips to the free-throw line.
Tempo favored Auburn’s style. While South Carolina relied heavily on perimeter shooting, Auburn slowed the game by working inside and forcing half-court execution, keeping fast-break chances to a minimum.
What’s Next for South Carolina
Despite the loss, the Gamecocks showed resilience and effort, particularly on the boards, outrebounding Auburn 39–35. Reducing turnovers and improving efficiency at the free-throw line will be points of emphasis as South Carolina continues SEC play. With balanced scoring and defensive intensity, the Gamecocks remain competitive moving forward.
What’s Next for Auburn
Auburn continues to gain traction in conference play behind depth and physical play. While perimeter shooting remains an area to improve (2-of-19 from three), the Tigers’ dominance in the paint and at the foul line provides a strong foundation. If Auburn can pair inside production with more consistent outside shooting, it will be difficult to slow down as SEC play continues.