Auburn’s NIT run came to an end Tuesday, as Baylor fought off a late, fervent Auburn rally to beat the Tigers, 74-72, at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum.
Baylor advances to the NIT Final Four and will play the winner of Wednesday’s game between St. Mary’s and San Diego. Auburn’s season is over.
The Bears led by as many as 8 with less than two minutes to play, but back-to-back 3-pointers from DeWayne Reed and Rasheem Barrett trimmed it to 1 with 19 seconds remaining.
After two in-bounds passes were swatted out of bounds by the Tigers, Baylor threw the ball away with 15.8 seconds to give Auburn a chance to win. Reed drove to the lane and was fouled with 8.5 seconds on the clock, sending the junior point guard to the line for two free throws.
Both clanged off the back rim.
Chris Jerrells made one of two free throws on the other end to set up Auburn’s last possible shot at advancing to its first-ever NIT Final Four. Barrett’s contested 3-pointer at the buzzer missed wide left.
Barrett led the Tigers with 16 points. LaceDarius Dunn led all scorers with 19.
The Tigers finished the season with 24 wins – tied for second most in team history – and 12 losses.
agribble@oanow.com | 737-2561
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