Auburn coach Bruce Pearl during the Tigers' 90-84 loss at Ole Miss on Feb. 11, 2017.

Bruce Pearl was not a happy man after watching his team surrender a 23-point lead Saturday night at Ole Miss.

Auburn surrendered a 23-point lead and lost 90-84 at Ole Miss. The Tigers were out-scored by 29 in the final 18 minutes as they allowed 63 points in the second half.

“This is the most disappointing loss of my career here at Auburn,” the third-year Auburn coach said as play-by-play announcer Rod Bramblett tried to end the post-game interview on the radio broadcast. “Sixty-three points in the second half.”

Pearl, whose voice as hoarse, could be heard placing the radio headset on the table. He was terse and fuming underneath the surface like he never has before after a game.

He pointed to pushing Ole Miss to the free-throw line (21 of 23 in the second half), allowing 19 points in transition in the second half and the Tigers’ inability to hit shots in the open floor against zone defense.

“They were 19 for 23 from the foul line in the first game and this game they were 21 for 23 from the foul line,” Pearl said. “They went to the line 31 times, we went to the line eight times and we led for most of the game. You tell me.”

Auburn was 5 of 8 on free throws in the game. The Tigers attempted 30 three-pointers and hit 13.

“Our scout team did a lousy job this week getting us ready,” he said. “That’s my responsibility because we shredded the scout team for two straight days.”

The meltdown in Oxford continued a troubling trend for the Tigers, who built a 20-point lead at halftime for the second straight game. Auburn allowed Mississippi State back within striking distance Tuesday by allowing 64 points in the second half. The Tigers held on to win 98-92.

“Our second half defensive problems continue,” Pearl said. “We didn’t guard Ole Miss away from our bench, we turned the ball over way too much, didn’t execute and then made mistakes down there and then didn’t get back in transition.”

Ole Miss’ Terrence Davis was held scoreless in the first half but exploded with a game-high 26 in the second half to lead the Rebels. Auburn committed 20 turnovers.

The Tigers built a 47-27 lead at halftime by hitting eight 3-pointers. Ronnie Johnson led the way with 11 points and five assists in the first half, but then went quiet.

“Ronnie played well but didn’t execute, didn’t guard,” Pearl said. “But Ronnie played well. We didn’t guard. I mean, they scored 63 points in the second half. They scored 21 from the foul line. You just can’t win games like that.”

Auburn (16-9, 5-7 SEC) returns to action Tuesday against No. 17 Florida.