Auburn thrashes Queens before beginning SEC schedule

Keyshawn Hall's 16 first-half points helped host Auburn blow away Queens University 106-65 on Monday night in the Tigers' final tune-up before Southeastern Conference play.

Elyjah Freeman led all scorers with a career-high 27 points off the bench, going a perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point range, while Kevin Overton chipped in 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting and five 3-pointers for Auburn (9-4). Hall finished with 18 points, five assists, five rebounds and two steals.

Tahaad Pettiford struggled again from the field -- 1-for-8 -- but padded the statsheet with a career-high nine assists, four rebounds, two steals and a block.

Nasir Mann was the only player to finish in double figures for Queens (5-8), scoring 13 points.

The Royals came into the game averaging 10.8 3-point makes a game but struggled throughout, going just 2-for-15 (13.3%) and needing nearly 34 minutes to hit their first.

After a brief 7-0 run by the Royals to start the second half, the Tigers hit back-to-back 3-pointers and then a three-point play to push the lead back to 37 with 13:49 to play.

The Tigers got their first 40-point lead of the night after a pair of free throws from Freeman to make it 88-48 with 8:35 to play.

Freeman capped his big day with a 7-0 personal run that featured another deep 3. His free throws made the contest 97-58 with a little less than five minutes left.

The Tigers made a season-high 15 3-pointers, forced 14 turnovers and scored 24 points off those turnovers.

It was a barrage from 3-point range to start the game for the Tigers, who made four of their first five shots from behind the arc.

A four-point play by Overton and eight quick points from Hall helped Auburn usher a quick 22-4 lead with 14:14 left in the first half.

The Royals were stifled in nearly every facet in the first frame, making just seven field goals and shooting 29.2% from the field. Auburn forced 11 first-half turnovers.

The Tigers showed their tough defense as Hall got a steal, leading to a Murphy second-chance layup. Then, a block on the Royals' next possession turned into another Overton 3-pointer as Auburn ended the first half shooting 52.5% and with a 57-21 lead.