Bruce Pearl reveals how Auburn can improve defensively in second half vs. Mississippi State

Defense has been the name of the game for both teams in the first half as Auburn looks to end Mississippi State‘s run in the SEC Tournament.

Tiger forward Jaylin Williams‘ layup at the buzzer to end the first half vs. Mississippi State knotted the game at 31, giving Auburn the momentum heading into halftime. Head coach Bruce Pearl explained why this bucket was so important for the Tigers heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation — and how Auburn can further its defensive pressure in the second half.

“Offense ain’t easy in the SEC, man,” Pearl told SEC Network’s Marty Smith before heading into the locker room. “Two really physical teams, two teams playing really, really hard defensively. I never thought it would get past 30 [points]. … We’ve got to do a better job to execute, a better job of screening. We’ve got to do a better job of keeping them off the offensive boards and not just checking off, but going to pursue those 50-50 balls.”

Despite the Bulldogs’ best efforts, Auburn is shooting 50 percent (12 of 24) from the floor, but 30 percent (3 of 10) from deep. The Tigers were out-rebounded 22-10 in the first half, so if those shots weren’t falling — Auburn might be in trouble right now.

Luckily for the Tigers, guard Tre Donaldson has been an explosive presence off the bench, scoring team-high eight points in the first half on 3 of 5 shooting. Scoring has been evenly distributed among the starting lineup, but Chad Baker-Mazara is leading the way with six points and three boards.

For Mississippi State, DJ Jeffries has been their highest scorer, matching Donaldson’s total of eight points. He made good on all three of his shot attempts in the first half and made the Bulldogs one and only 3-pointer before halftime.

Catch the exciting finish to this matchup live on ESPN and the ESPN app, as the winner will take on whichever team emerges victorious between Texas A&M and Florida after this matchup in the SEC Tournament final on Sunday.

The Tigers are still potentially playing for a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament, so a win against the Bulldogs is mandatory to accomplish this. During ESPN’s College GameDay, bracketologist Joe Lunardi said that Auburn can win themselves into a two-seed if the right dominoes fall in place. To get there, they’ll just have to keep winning.