NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Denver Jones scored 21 points as No. 1 Auburn held off Vanderbilt 80-68 on Tuesday night to avoid the Tigers' first losing skid of the season.
Now Auburn (22-2, 10-1) goes into Saturday’s big showdown for the top of the Southeastern Conference standings, supremacy in the state of Alabama and the top of the AP Top 25. The Tigers came into Tuesday night tied with No. 2 Alabama in league play.
Chaney Johnson finished with 20 points for Auburn, and Johni Broome had 17.
The Tigers scored the first 15 points as they snapped back from their home loss to Florida last weekend. Vanderbilt rallied and finally hit its first 3 on the Commodores' ninth try seconds before halftime to pull to 34-32.
Vanderbilt (17-7, 5-6) took its first lead with a 3 by Jason Edwards early in the second. The Commodores last led 49-48 on a putback by Chris Manon.
Auburn answered with a 12-2 run to squelch Vanderbilt's hopes at its biggest win this season.
Edwards finished with 13 points for Vanderbilt. AJ Hoggard and Devin McGlockton each added 10. McGlockton also grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.
Auburn: The Tigers remain undefeated in league play away from home to start a two-game road swing. They also improved to 14-0 against unranked opponents.
Vanderbilt: The Commodores are 2-3 against Top 25 teams with this their first loss at Memorial Gym as they now are 12-2 at home this season.
Johnson took control back for Auburn with a 3 as he scored nine straight to give the Tigers a 57-49 lead with 11:38 left.
Auburn turned it over just twice in the second half and finished with eight.
Rivalry Saturday as Auburn visits Alabama and Vanderbilt goes to No. 5 Tennessee.
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