Let me tell you a story, a story that will make you feel the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. It’s a story about Auburn’s unforgettable journey in the NCAA Tournament, which ended with a heart-stopping loss to Yale. 😢
It all started in Spokane, Washington, where the Auburn Tigers, the 4th seed in the East Region, were set to face the 13th-seeded Yale Bulldogs. The Tigers had an impressive season, finishing with a 27-8 record. They were led by All-American Johni Broome, who had a fantastic year, carrying the team, particularly at the offensive end.
The game was a nail-biter from start to finish. Auburn started strong, leading 41-35 at halftime. But Yale wasn’t going down without a fight. They used a 10-0 run to overcome Auburn’s seven-point halftime lead before the Tigers answered with their own 10-0 run.
As the game progressed, the tension was palpable. With just over two minutes left, Yale took a one-point lead on John Poulakidas’ sixth 3-pointer. Auburn fans held their breath as the game came down to the wire.
With 33.6 seconds to play, trailing by three, Johni Broome drew a foul and made both free throws to pull the Tigers within one at 75-74. After Yale made a pair of free throws a second later to go ahead 77-74, Auburn missed a 3-point attempt and two tip-in tries, then fouled the Bulldogs.
The final seconds were a blur. Yale made one of two free throws with 13 seconds remaining, then K.D. Johnson raced to the other end, making a layup and drawing a foul to pull Auburn within two points with 9.4 to play. Johnson missed the free throw but when both teams shared possession of the rebound, the arrow pointed to Auburn with 7.1 seconds to play.
Tre Donaldson drew a foul with 6.1 seconds remaining but missed both free throws. Broome rebounded the second miss, but Yale blocked Williams’ shot. K.D. Johnson retrieved the loose ball but his 3-point attempt for the win bounced off the rim as the Bulldogs’ celebrated their upset victory.
Despite the loss, there were many positives to take away from the game. Broome led Auburn with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists. Denver Jones scored 17 points, and Williams added 13 points and five rebounds.
In the end, it was a tough loss for Auburn, but the team showed great resilience and fought till the very end. As Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said, “We respected our opponent. We knew we’d have to play well to win. We did not take good care of the ball. We turned it over too much. They made big shots.”
So, there you have it. A thrilling game, a heartbreaking loss, but a season to remember for the Auburn Tigers. They may not have won the championship, but they won the hearts of many with their grit, determination, and never-say-die attitude. 👏🎉
And that’s the beauty of sports, isn’t it? It’s not just about winning or losing. It’s about the journey, the ups and downs, the joy and the heartbreak. It’s about giving it your all, no matter what. And that’s exactly what Auburn did. They gave it their all, and for that, they should be proud. 👍
So, here’s to Auburn, to their unforgettable journey, and to the spirit of sportsmanship. Here’s to the thrill of the game, the roar of the crowd, and the love of the sport. Here’s to the players, the coaches, and the fans. Here’s to basketball. 🏀
And remember, no matter the outcome, it’s always a great day to be a Tiger. 🐯
