Auburn Defeats Purdue 87-69 in Birmingham

Auburn's Johni Broome made a triumphant return from a shoulder injury to lead the No. 2 Tigers to an 87-69 victory over No. 16 Purdue. Broome, who was initially feared to require surgery, defied expectations by scoring 23 points and securing 11 rebounds after his shoulder was cleared by an MRI. The Tigers dominated the game, leading by as much as 33 points, with significant contributions from Tahaad Pettiford and Denver Jones. Purdue struggled offensively, shooting 39% from the field and missing crucial free throws in a challenging environment. Auburn's strong defense and robust perimeter play were pivotal in their win, as they out-rebounded Purdue 39-34. This victory marks Auburn's fourth ranked win in non-conference play, further solidifying their No. 2 ranking in the AP Top 25.