“We had really solid looks in the second half. We did what we wanted to do offensively. They weren’t able to disrupt us,” said coach Bruce Pearl of Auburn’s 55 second-half points.

The Tigers bounce back from Wednesday night’s loss at N.C. State to improve to 10-2 heading into the Christmas break while the Racers fall to 8-2.

AUBURN | A big second half run helped No. 7 Auburn to a 93-88 comeback win over Murray State Saturday afternoon at Auburn Arena.

Murray State led by as many as six points in the second half before Auburn took control with a 24-6 run. Six different players made 3-pointers during the run as the Tigers stretched their lead to 14 points with 8:51 remaining.

Murray State made a late 9-0 run but AU made its final six free throws in the final two minutes to clinch the win.

Samir Doughty led five players in double figures with 20 points. Starting for the first time this season, Austin Wiley had his second-career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Jared Harper had his fourth-career double-double with 12 points and 10 assists.

Chuma Okeke added 17 points and five steals, and Bryce Brown broke out of a slump to score 11, making 3-of-8 3-pointers.

“Just being able to spread the ball around is always great,” said Harper of the balanced scoring. “When you have Austin playing well, and Samir and Chuma making shots that they do, and me and Bryce just continuing to do what we do, it’s always great for us.”

Brown played 33 minutes despite missing this morning’s walkthrough with an illness.

“He got some IV’s, he got some meds. He was hungry, thirsty, had a fever and was achy. A lesser man wouldn’t of played,” Pearl said. “He was still able to play 33 minutes, which was incredible.”

Murray State’s Ja Morant was everything he was made out to be. The projected lottery pick had a game-high 25 points along with eight rebounds and seven assists.

“He’s a freak athlete. He’s long, he’s fast, he’s quick and he’s a handful to stay in front of,” Pearl said.

Auburn hosts North Florida Dec. 29 at 4 p.m. CT on SECN+.