Sun Mar 23 00:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Auburn’s Pettiford Fuels First-Round NCAA Tournament Victory

**Lexington, KY** – Auburn’s top-seeded men’s basketball team cruised to an 83-63 victory over No. 16 seed Alabama State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, propelled by a strong performance from freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford. Pettiford, rebounding from a subpar SEC Tournament, scored 16 points – second only to Miles Kelly’s 23 – adding five rebounds and five assists in a standout performance.

Coach Bruce Pearl praised Pettiford’s improved defense and overall energy, noting his plus-22 impact on the game. Pettiford himself expressed relief at rediscovering his scoring touch after a scoreless SEC Tournament semifinal loss. While celebrating the win, he acknowledged areas for improvement before their next matchup.

“We played well enough to win, but there are definitely things we can fix,” Pettiford stated. He also described the NCAA Tournament atmosphere as “amazing,” highlighting the intensity and energy of the game.

Auburn now faces a tougher challenge against No. 9 seed Creighton in the Round of 32 on Saturday at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET on TBS. Despite the win, some Auburn players reportedly expressed concerns about the team’s effort, hinting at a need for continued improvement.

Read More