Mahalo to BMW of Maui for sponsoring our ESPN Honolulu coverage of the 2024 Maui Invitational!

By Jeff McKeown

It was like a heavyweight bout this afternoon at the Lahaina Civic Center. Iowa State started the game, delivering all the blows, using a 14-3 run in the first half to take a commanding 49-33 halftime lead.

However, like any champion, Auburn responded. They started the second half with a 20-4 run to tie the game at 53 with 13:51 to play. Iowa State regained control and led until Johni Broome tied the game at 73 with 4:33 to play.  

The teams traded blows for the next two minutes with Auburn taking a four point lead. Four unanswered points by Keshon Gilbert tied the game with 1:53 to play. With the game tied at 81, Gilbert turned it over and set up Auburn’s game winner. Denver Jones missed a driving layup but Johni Broome tipped it in with 1.9 seconds to go to secure the win, 83 – 81.

Johni Broome led five Tigers in double figures with 21, while Chad Baker-Mazara had 18.  Keshon Gilbert led Iowa State with 23 points.

Auburn meets the winner of the Dayton vs North Carolina game tomorrow at 6 pm.

Photos: Lori McKeown