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Saturday, Nov. 27 3:00pm ET
Stanford's size overpowers Auburn | |||||
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BOX SCORE
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Auburn coach Cliff Ellis knew Stanford's freshmen were talented before the Tigers played them. The youngsters proved just how good when they took over with the pressure on. Freshman Curtis Borchardt hit a 3-pointer to snap a tie with 1:35 remaining and Stanford (No. 7 ESPN/USA Today, No. 9 AP) hung on to beat Auburn (No. 3 ESPN/USA Today, No. 2 AP) 67-58 Saturday in the Wooden Classic.
"Sure, you're surprised to be 5-0 with the caliber of competition we've played," Stanford coach Mike Montgomery said. "But as long as you defend and board, you can win games." Duke (No.15 ESPN/USA Today, No. 16 AP) defeated Southern California 81-68 in the second game of the doubleheader honoring Hall of Fame coach John Wooden at Anaheim Arena. After Auburn's Doc Robinson tied the game at 56 on a 3-pointer, the 6-foot-11 Borchardt answered with a 3 from the top of the key to give Stanford the lead for good. "I missed one earlier in the second half and I told myself if I was open, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot again," Borchardt said. "I don't think when I shoot and that was the key." Stanford's final eight points came from the free-throw line as the Tigers (2-1) repeatedly missed 3-point attempts and had to foul in the final 1:19. "Our ability to stay with them on the boards was critical," Montgomery said. "Handling their pressure was critical. We did both very well." The Cardinal was better on the boards, outrebounding Auburn 46-29, led by Jason Collins, Jarron's twin brother, with 10. Stanford succeeded on the boards without Mark Madsen, the team's leading rebounder from last season who is out with a strained hamstring. The Tigers also shot just 30 percent for the game. "They annihilated us on the boards," Ellis said. "They took it to us in the paint. That was the game. When we play games against physical teams, we have to hold our ground. Stanford made some big shots." Scott Pohlman led the Tigers with 21 points, including 10 straight when Auburn regained control on a series of fouls that nearly cost Stanford the game. The Cardinal opened the second half with a 20-12 run to take its largest lead, 49-40, with 9:33 remaining. Jason Collins, playing in just his 13th college game after two years of injuries, had six points in the spurt when Auburn's Chris Porter, Mamadou N'Diaye and Mack McGadney all picked up their fourth fouls. Porter and N'Diaye came into the game averaging a combined 31 points, but together scored just 11 points. Daymeon Fishback, N'diaye and McGadney eventually fouled out. "It was very physical inside. I wasn't physical enough," Porter said. "I had open looks, but shots just wouldn't fall for me." The momentum turned when Stanford's David Moseley knocked Pohlman to the floor and was called for a flagrant foul. Pohlman made one of two free throws in what would turn out to be a 10-0 scoring run for the junior. Montgomery was whistled for a technical and Pohlman was fouled on a drive to the basket. "I made a stupid play," Montgomery said. "It was a turnaround, but the kids had enough guts and courage to come back." Pohlman converted all four free throws, then hit a 3-pointer and another basket to give Auburn its first lead since the start of the second half. Robinson added a basket to cap Auburn's run of 12 straight points for a 52-49 lead with 6:37 remaining. "He and Doc hit some big shots to give us a lift," Ellis said.
Robinson's 3-pointer gave Auburn its last lead with 2:35
remaining before Stanford's freshmen dominated the final minute.
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