Milwaukee Panthers at Auburn Tigers
· MGM GRAND MAIN EVENT
73 - 83
Auburn rallies past Milwaukee 83-73 in Pearl debut
The Tigers overcame a 12-point deficit in the final 11 minutes to win their opener under the former Tennessee coach, returning from three years out of coaching since his firing after an NCAA investigation.
Harrell, Auburn's top returning scorer, had 18 points in the second half. He hit a 3-pointer and scored on a basket and free throw to spark a 19-2 run after Milwaukee (0-1) jumped ahead 55-43.
Graduate transfers Antoine Mason and K.C. Ross-Miller had big Auburn debuts. Mason scored 19 points and Ross-Miller added 13.
Northern Illinois transfer Akeem Springs led Milwaukee with 21 points while Justin Jordan had 11 and J.R. Lyle 10.
Pearl, a former Milwaukee coach, generated enthusiasm for a program that has struggled for the past decade.
His debut drew an announced crowd of 8,114 for the late-evening tipoff. Pearl blew a kiss toward the stands and high-fived fans as he headed to the locker room celebrating his first win.
It didn't come easily.
J.J. Panoske's basket inside gave the Panthers a 55-43 lead with 11 minutes left. Then Auburn began a 19-2 run with nine points in a 74-second span that included a 3-pointer plus a three-point play for Harrell.
Harrell's two free throws with 6:36 left gave Auburn the lead for the duration.
Lyle's 3-pointer with 3:49 left cut the margin to 69-67, but he missed the subsequent free throw.
Mason hit a pair of free throws after that. Jordon Granger's late 3-pointer helped put it away.
TIP-INS
Milwaukee: Made 30 of 59 shots (50.9 percent) but just 6 of 14 free throws (42.9 percent). Springs missed all seven 3-point attempts. J.J. Panoske, Matt Tiby and Steve McWhorter fouled out.
Auburn: Hit half of its 14 3-pointers. Starting guard Tahj Shamsid-Deen left the game clutching his right shoulder five minutes into the second half and didn't return. Center Matthew Atewe watched from the bench with crutches and a protective boot on his left foot. He's out indefinitely after reinjuring a stress fracture.
UP NEXT
Auburn plays at Colorado on Tuesday.
Wisconsin-Milwaukee hosts Minnesota-Crookston on Monday.
How can I watch Milwaukee vs. Auburn?
Recent Plays
| 2nd 0:00 | End of Game | 73 - 83 |
| 2nd 0:05 | Malcolm Canada Defensive Rebound. | 73 - 83 |
| 2nd 0:05 | Akeem Springs missed Layup. | 73 - 83 |
| 2nd 0:09 | K.C. Ross-Miller made Free Throw. | 73 - 83 |
| 2nd 0:09 | K.C. Ross-Miller made Free Throw. | 73 - 82 |
Statistics
 MILW |
 AUB |
|
|---|---|---|
| 30-59 | FG | 24-52 |
| 51 | Field Goal % | 46 |
| 7-21 | 3PT | 7-14 |
| 33 | Three Point % | 50 |
| 6-14 | FT | 28-39 |
| 43 | Free Throw % | 72 |
| 32 | Rebounds | 35 |
| 9 | Offensive Rebounds | 11 |
| 23 | Defensive Rebounds | 24 |
| 13 | Assists | 9 |
| 7 | Steals | 6 |
| 5 | Blocks | 1 |
| 12 | Turnovers | 12 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 12 | Total Turnovers | 12 |
| 1 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 1 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Points Off Turnovers | 0 |
| 0 | Fast Break Points | 0 |
| 0 | Points in Paint | 0 |
| 28 | Fouls | 17 |
Game Information
Location: Auburn, AL
Attendance: 8,114 | Capacity:
2025-26 Horizon League Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State | 15-5 | - | 23-12 |
| Robert Morris | 13-7 | 2 | 22-11 |
| Green Bay | 12-8 | 3 | 18-15 |
| Detroit Mercy | 12-8 | 3 | 17-15 |
| Oakland | 12-8 | 3 | 16-16 |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | 11-9 | 4 | 17-15 |
| Northern Kentucky | 10-10 | 5 | 20-14 |
| Youngstown State | 8-12 | 7 | 15-17 |
| Milwaukee | 8-12 | 7 | 12-20 |
| Cleveland State | 6-14 | 9 | 11-22 |
| IU Indianapolis | 3-17 | 12 | 7-25 |
2025-26 Southeastern Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 16-2 | - | 27-8 |
| Arkansas | 13-5 | 3 | 28-9 |
| Alabama | 13-5 | 3 | 25-10 |
| Vanderbilt | 11-7 | 5 | 27-9 |
| Tennessee | 11-7 | 5 | 25-12 |
| Texas A&M | 11-7 | 5 | 22-12 |
| Georgia | 10-8 | 6 | 22-11 |
| Kentucky | 10-8 | 6 | 22-14 |
| Missouri | 10-8 | 6 | 20-13 |
| Texas | 9-9 | 7 | 21-15 |
| Auburn | 7-11 | 9 | 22-16 |
| Oklahoma | 7-11 | 9 | 21-16 |
| Mississippi State | 5-13 | 11 | 13-19 |
| Ole Miss | 4-14 | 12 | 15-20 |
| South Carolina | 4-14 | 12 | 13-19 |
| LSU | 3-15 | 13 | 15-17 |