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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- After 15 minutes of back-and-forth
basketball, Auburn went to a full-court press.
So much for back-and-forth basketball.
|  | | Mamadou N'diaye slams in two of his 16 points for the Tigers. |
"The press opened a lot of easy layups for us and that's when we took control of the game," said Chris Porter, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds Tuesday night as Auburn (No. 6 ESPN/USA Today, No. 7 AP, 9-1 overall) beat Virginia Tech 73-63 in a first-round game of the San Juan Shootout.
Virginia Tech (5-4) gave Auburn all it could handle in the first
15 minutes. Tech's Rolan Roberts tied the game 18-18 with 5:12 to
play in the half before Auburn used a full-court press to fuel an
11-0 run. Doc Robinson's 3-pointer made it 29-18 with 2:10 left in
the half.
"The press opened the game for us," Auburn coach Cliff Ellis
said. "Virginia Tech kept battling back so it was a hard-fought
win for us."
Virginia Tech associate coach Donny Marsh called it "a great
effort from our kids. They never gave up. It is a great experience
playing against a ranked team like Auburn.
"They turned the pressure on and we lost our composure. We
became vulnerable and they took advantage of it."
The Tigers extended the lead to 57-41 after two free throws by
Robinson with 8:46 to play. Although Auburn was unable to pull
away, the Tigers did maintain a double-figure lead to the end.
For Auburn, Mamadou N'Diaye added 16 points and Robinson 13.
Brian Chase led the Hokies with 22 points, Dennis Mims contributed
15 and Roberts 12.
Auburn advanced to a second-round game Wednesday night against
Pepperdine, which beat Louisiana-Lafayette 99-53.
"It will be a tough game against Pepperdine," Ellis said. "They have blown out Detroit, who went to the NCAA Tournament last year, and Louisiana-Lafayette, who upset Miami in the first round.
"Both of us like to press a lot. However, tomorrow will be our
third straight game in as many days. Our depth will definitely be
tested."
"I'm sure it'll be an up-and-down game," Porter said.
"Whomever gets the upper hand in the early going can come up with
the win."
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ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Auburn Clubhouse
Virginia Tech Clubhouse
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