GREENVILLE, S.C. — Jabari Smith knocked down big shots, Walker Kessler neared a triple-double, and the fans roared over Greenville on Friday as the NCAA Tournament site turned into Tiger Country.
And it was the team’s stars who propelled Auburn onward, surviving early punches by a game Jacksonville State team giving its best shot. Smith scored 20 points and hauled in 14 rebounds and his fellow All-American Kessler finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine blocks.“That’s the No. 1 pick there!” a fan shouted behind media row. “No. 1 pick!”
Allen Flanigan and KD Johnson both scored 10 points to go along with the big days by Smith and Kessler. Smith helped keep Auburn on pace with the Gamecocks early when Jacksonville State came out firing. One of the most prolific 3-point shooting teams in the country, JSU hit five of its first seven 3-point shots.Auburn trailed 24-22 with 5:39 left in the first half before closing the half on a 17-5 run to take a 39-27 lead into the break.
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