For the first time since 1996, the Auburn Tigers have defeated the Florida Gators on the road.
For the first time in three decades, the Auburn Tigers have picked up a road win over the Florida Gators.
Auburn (13-7, 4-3 SEC) traveled down to the Stephen C. O'Connell Center and walked away with a 76-67 victory over No. 16 Florida (14-6, 5-2 SEC).
This win is a monumental one, as Steven Pearl accomplished something that many Auburn coaches before him could not — including his father Bruce, who is widely considered to be the best coach in the program's history.
Auburn was in control of this contest out of the gate, leading by as many as 14 points less than five minutes into the game. While Florida threatened to make a comeback and reclaim the driver's seat multiple times throughout the second half, Auburn held off each push and the Gators never held the lead after the 18:37 mark of the first half.
As has been the usual for the Tigers this season, Keyshawn Hall played a significant role in their ability to get the job done.
Hall led Auburn in scoring with 24 points, and was the game's second-highest scorer behind Florida's Thomas Haugh, who finished the game with 27.
Hall also added seven rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals while shooting 8-of-17 from the field, 3-of-5 from 3-point range and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
After dealing with struggles to shoot the ball for the majority of conference play, Auburn had a bounce back performance. It finished the game 26-of-54, 48.1%, from the field, 5-of-15, 33.3%, from 3-point range and 19-of-21, 90.5%, from the free-throw line.
The Tigers were out-performed on the glass, particularly on the offensive end, but found a way to get the job done regardless.
Auburn will have a chance to earn its fourth win in a row on Wednesday, Jan. 28, when it takes on the Texas Longhorns at home inside Neville Arena. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT, and ESPN2 will carry the television broadcast.