Johni Broome Injured, but Auburn Escapes South Carolina with Narrow 66-63 Victory

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Facing adversity on the road, Auburn basketball showed its resilience Saturday night, overcoming the absence of All-American Johni Broome to secure a narrow 66-63 win over South Carolina in SEC play.

Broome, the Tigers’ best and most valuable player, left the game at the 13:45 mark of the second half after appearing to roll his left ankle while battling for a rebound. The star forward was helped off the court by team trainers, unable to put any weight on his left foot. A team spokesperson later confirmed that Broome would not return, leaving Auburn to fight on without its top scorer and rebounder.

Despite the setback, Auburn (14-3, 3-1 SEC) dug deep to secure the win in a game that proved far more competitive than expected. The Gamecocks (7-9, 0-4 SEC), coming off back-to-back blowout losses in conference play, gave the Tigers their toughest test since a December loss to Duke.

The absence of Broome was palpable, but Auburn relied on gritty defense and timely contributions from its supporting cast. Freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford stepped up in crunch time, hitting a pair of clutch free throws in the final minute to put Auburn ahead. Moments later, South Carolina’s Stephen Pringle missed two critical free throws that could have tied the game, allowing Auburn to escape with the win.

“It wasn’t pretty, but we found a way,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. “Losing Johni was tough, but I’m proud of how the guys rallied together. Winning on the road in this league is never easy, and tonight was no exception.”

The Tigers leaned on their defense late, forcing contested shots and limiting the Gamecocks’ second-chance opportunities. Auburn’s offense, however, struggled without Broome’s presence in the paint, as the team saw its early lead evaporate in the second half.

South Carolina’s fight was evident throughout the game. The Gamecocks, who trailed by as many as 12 in the first half, clawed back to take a brief lead in the second. Sophomore guard Jacobi Wright led the way with 18 points, but the Gamecocks came up just short in their upset bid.

For Auburn, the victory offered a mixture of relief and concern. The Tigers not only survived a scare against a struggling opponent but also proved their ability to win without their star. Still, Broome’s health looms large as the team looks ahead to the heart of SEC play.

“We’ll evaluate Johni and hope for the best,” Pearl said. “He’s a huge part of what we do, but this is also a team that’s built to handle challenges.”

With Broome’s status uncertain, Auburn will turn its attention to preparing for its next game, a home matchup against Texas A&M. In the meantime, the Tigers will savor a hard-fought road win that showcased their depth, grit, and a little bit of luck.