Auburn hits 13 3-pointers in 83-66 win over North Florida

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) Bryce Brown scored 19 points, freshman Danjel Purifoy added 14 points and Auburn hit 13 3-pointers in an 83-66 victory over North Florida on Friday night in a season opener for both teams.

Freshmen Mustafa Heron and Jared Harper each had 10 points for Auburn.

''I thought our defense in the first half was tremendous,'' Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. ''In the second half, you know, we didn't play as well defensively. I was disappointed with our rebounding. But to hold a team that averages 84 (points per game) to 66 is good. We're trying to get better. It's a great way to start the season: with a win.''

The Tigers used their 3-pointers to pull away early, and their athleticism and tenacious defense prevented the Ospreys from clawing back in the second half.

The two teams came out jittery as Auburn and North Florida combined for 15 turnovers in the first 11 minutes. Auburn, which was starting three freshmen in guards Heron and Jared Harper and forward Purifoy, committed seven of those.

The Tigers' lack of size kept North Florida in the game midway through the first half. The Ospreys' 6-foot-11 center Romelo Banks, who finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, gave Auburn's Horace Spencer fits. Spencer had to come out for grad transfer LaRon Smith just two minutes into the game, and although Smith wasn't any taller, he provided more-stout defense on Banks.

''We just didn't have an answer,'' said North Florida coach Matt Driscoll. ''Our top guys, our lead guys, our marquee guys, they just didn't have one of their better games. Like, that's gonna happen, so we've got to find a way to play through that.''

With North Florida's down-low advantage hampered, the Tigers were able to break away as Auburn's quick passing and shooting negated the Ospreys' hard trapping defense on the perimeter.

BIG PICTURE:

North Florida: The Ospreys will look to regroup and get their cold shooting back on track next week.

Auburn: Pearl's young, inexperienced squad kicks off his third year with a win, and the Tigers will look to keep it rolling.

STAT OF THE NIGHT:

Auburn started three freshmen for the first time since Nov. 20, 2005, when the Tigers started Josh Dollard, Quantez Richardson and Joey Cameron in a 69-54 over Lipscomb.

HE SAID IT

''Give them credit, they shared the sugar, they had a ton of assists. They got no pigs on the team, they look like they really like each other. They can shoot the living dog out of the ball, and they defend well enough and rebound so strong.'' - North Florida coach Matt Driscoll.

UP NEXT

North Florida will try to bounce back and notch its first victory against Edward Waters on Monday.

Auburn looks to start 2-0 when Georgia State rolls into town next Monday as part of the Cancun Challenge.