For No. 2 Auburn, 2025 began the way 2024 ended, with Johni Broome leading the Tigers to a double-digit victory, one that tied Bruce Pearl for the most wins in program history.

“Nobody enjoys winning more than me, nobody hates losing more than me, and when I win I get on to the next one,” said Pearl, who tied Joel Eaves (1949-63) with win No. 213 on the Plains. “I will celebrate whatever we accomplish this year this summer. I’m on to Texas and on to the next one.  It’s great.”

One of five Tigers in double figures, Broome scored 24 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked four shots to lead Auburn to an 84-68 win over Missouri Saturday in the SEC opener at sold-out Neville Arena.

“Being aggressive,” said Broome, who reached the 20-point mark for the ninth time in Auburn’s 14 games. “I wanted to set the tone a little bit. My teammates and coaches ran plays to get me the ball. We have a special team. That’s a good way to start it off but we’re not satisfied.”   

Chaney Johnson scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds, Chad Baker-Mazara scored 13 and went 5-for-5 from the free-throw line to extend his streak to 44. 

Denver Jones and Tahaad Pettiford added 10 points apiece, with Jones dishing a career-high seven assists. 

Leading by 12 points at the half, Auburn opened the second half with a 12-1 run that featured Broome’s steal and layup and 3-pointers from Baker-Mazara and Jones that forced a Missouri timeout with 17:13 to play with Auburn ahead 57-34. 

Pettiford’s second chance 3-pointer gave Auburn a 26-point lead before Missouri got as close as 14 down the stretch before walk-on Presley Patterson scored the game’s final points. 

“Auburn is a great basketball team, I believe one of the top teams in the country,” Missouri coach Dennis Gates said. “You can tell the chip they have on their shoulders. I have the utmost respect for Bruce Pearl. He had his team ready to play in the SEC opener.”

Broome got off to a fast start, scoring seven of Auburn’s first nine points before the first media timeout. 

“Johni Broome is a load down there and he’s so unselfish,” Pearl said. 

When Missouri adjusted by double-teaming Broome, Johni adjusted by firing a one-handed, crosscourt pass to Baker-Mazara, who made his third 4-point play in the past two games to give Auburn a 17-11 lead. 

“We work on it all the time in practice,” Broome said. “I saw him, and then I got trapped. I trusted him, I threw it and he made a bucket.”

Missouri tried a zone defense for two possessions, but Auburn made the visiting Tigers pay with 3-pointers from Jahki Howard and Miles Kelly. 

Seven Tigers made 3-pointers in the first half to help Auburn take a 45-33 lead at intermission. 

Auburn shot 47.6 percent from 3-point range, making 10 of 21 attempts. 

“We have some great shooters on the team,” Johnson said. “We share the ball and we trust each other. Ball movement, people getting open shots, we’re going to hit.”

Auburn (13-1, 1-0) travels for its next two games beginning with its first conference visit to Texas to take on the Longhorns Tuesday at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2 and the Auburn Sports Network.  

“It’s a shorter prep and we’ll get ourselves ready to go,” Pearl said. “I think we can play better on the road. We have to. Texas is really talented, one of the most talented teams in our league.”