| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- While Auburn (No. 7 ESPN/USA Today, No. 6 Associated Press) struggled through its
first five games of the season, coach Cliff Ellis never worried.
He didn't have to because he knew help was on the way.
Scott Pohlman scored 14 points and the Tigers' received
significant contributions from their bench Monday night in a 63-35
rout over Coppin State.
The win was the 450th Division I-A victory of Ellis' career. It
came easily for the coach, whose Tigers (6-1) benefited by the
addition of David Hamilton and Jamison Brewer to the lineup.
Both players were academically ineligible for the Tigers' first
five games. They were cleared to play Saturday against Penn, but
were used sparingly. Against Coppin State they combined to play 49
minutes.
"We were able to get some of the new faces in and we are going
to need that down the stretch," Ellis said. "We came into the
game wanting to get David and Jamison some quality playing time and
we did."
Hamilton, a sophomore who was the Tigers' first player off the
bench last year until his season ended when he broke his leg in a
Christmas Eve pickup game, scored eight points in 24 minutes.
Brewer, a highly regarded freshman who was ranked one of the top
50 recruits in the country coming out of high school, played 25
minutes. He didn't score any points, but had six assists and
dazzled the crowd with several fancy passes.
"For a guy that's only practiced a few days -- the guys aren't
used to him -- but he was able to make some nice passes and get some
people involved," Ellis said. "I was pleased to see that."
Brewer said he's willing to share the ball with his teammates if
it means playing time.
"I've been waiting for a long time and coach has been looking
for a way to get me in the system," he said. "I like this way, to
get more players involved. The more you are able to get the team
involved, the more you are going to click together."
Auburn did click, especially defensively.
The 35 points allowed tied Auburn's school record, set in 1997
against Tennessee. The Tigers held Coppin State (2-8) to 28 percent
shooting and forced 19 turnovers.
It was Coppin State's fewest points scored since moving up to
Division I-A in 1985.
"We just played too fast, took our shots too fast and weren't
set offensively," Coppin State coach Ron Mitchell said.
Auburn's Chris Porter, who had the worst game of his career
against Penn on Saturday with just four points, scored all 12 of
his points against Coppin State in the first half. He played only
23 minutes and sat most of the second half.
Auburn put the game away early by closing out the first half
with a 27-5 run. Pohlman hit a pair of 3-pointers and Porter went
4-for-4 at the line during the stretch to help Auburn take a 37-15
lead into the break.
Auburn outrebounded Coppin State 41-26.
"They played pretty good defense and they rotated very well,
said Jorge Cajigas, who led Coppin State with 13 points. "They
just moved the ball very well."
| |
ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Coppin State Clubhouse
Auburn Clubhouse
|
