The Tigers started their Las Vegas trip on a high note.
The No. 21 Auburn Tigers opened the Players Era Festival on a high note, picking up an 84-73 win over the Oregon Ducks at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Monday night.
Auburn (5-1) went back and forth with Oregon (4-1) throughout the first half, but managed to pull away in the second half, using a 10-point run to pave its way to victory.
After a Kevin Magwood jumper from mid-range gave Auburn a 60-59 lead, it never surrendered control of the game en route to the victory.
Despite having a slow start to the season, particularly on the offensive end of the floor, Tahaad Pettiford stepped up for the Tigers in a big way, despite fouling out and only finishing the contest with 29 minutes of action.
He led the team in scoring with 24 points, shooting 9-of-18 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. He also came up with four rebounds and four assists, leading the team in that category as well.
Elyjah Freeman and Keyshawn Hall co-led Auburn in rebounds, each grabbing six.
Auburn had one of its better shooting nights of the season, finishing 30-of-65, 46.2% from the field, 5-of-23, 21.7%, from 3-point range and 19-of-23, 82.6%, from the free-throw line.
Takai Simpkins led Oregon in scoring with 22 points. Devon Pryor led the way in rebounds with 10, Jackson Shelstad's eight assists led the Ducks in that category.
Oregon shot 23-of-61, 37.7 %, from the field, 9-of-33, 27.3% from 3-point range and 18-of-23, 78.3 %, from the free-throw line.
Despite coming away with a convincing win, Auburn was out-performed on the glass, something it will aim to clean up in its next outing.
The Tigers return to action on Tuesday to take on the No. 7 Michigan Wolverines in their second Players Era Festival game. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT and TNT will carry the broadcast.