Jan. 11, 2000
By JENNA FRYER
AP Sports Writer
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) – So this is how No. 4 Auburn responds to adversity.
Criticized by Georgia coach Jim Harrick last week, Doc Robinson and ScottPohlman responded with two of the biggest plays of their careers Tuesday night.
Robinson hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 24.4 seconds to play and Pohlmanadded two free throws to help the Tigers snap a 14-game losing streak againstKentucky with a 66-63 win over the 20th-ranked Wildcats.
“Say anything you want, but just don’t take shots at my players,” Auburncoach Cliff Ellis said. “There’s been some shots at them, but I think theyanswered them tonight.”
Harrick, when asked Saturday if Auburn (14-1, 2-0 Southeastern Conference)has what it takes to win a national championship, said he didn’t know because ateam “needs outstanding guard play to make a run in the NCAA tournament.”
Pohlman and Robinson, who have helped Auburn to a 43-5 mark when both are inthe starting lineup, said they didn’t give Harrick’s comments a second thought.
“It didn’t bother me at all,” said Robinson, who finished with 18 points,nine assists and just one turnover. “I never gave that stuff a secondthought.”
Said Pohlman: “People have been saying stuff like that all my life, if Ilistened, I wouldn’t be here today.”
It was Auburn’s first victory over Kentucky (10-5, 1-1) since 1990 andsnapped the Wildcats’ six-game winning streak.
The Auburn fans then stormed the court in celebration, making it impossiblefor the players to leave the floor.
“It was an excellent win for us and it feels good, but it’s just one of 16conference games,” Ellis said.
With the score tied at 59 with 2:36 to play, Chris Porter gave the Tigerstheir first lead since the 11:09 mark on a tip-in. Two free throws by JamaalMagliore tied it at 61 with 1:12 to play.
The Tigers had a chance to take the lead, but David Hamilton missed two freethrows. Daymeon Fishback got the rebound, which was knocked out of bounds byKeith Bogans, giving the Tigers the ball with 42.9 to play.
Robinson then broke free on a screen hit and hit an off-balance 3-pointer togive Auburn a 64-61 lead.
“Big players make big plays,” Ellis said. “Doc, I’ve always said, isprobably the most underrated guard in America.”
Tayshaun Prince then missed a 3 at the other end, but Bogans got therebound, drew a foul and made two free throws to make it 64-63 with 13.3 toplay.
“We couldn’t get the shots we needed to go in,” Kentucky coach Tubby Smithsaid. “You don’t get everything you want.”
Pohlman, a 77 percent free throw shooter, got the inbound pass and wasfouled. He calmly sank both shots.
Kentucky then missed two shots at the other end as time expired.
“We played a great game and executed well, but they just kept making theshots when they had to,” Blevins said.
Porter, who scored 12 and 16 points in Auburn’s two losses to Kentucky lastyear, finished with a season-high 22 points and 13 rebounds.
Magliore led Kentucky with 16 points and Prince finished with 15.
Kentucky, which trailed by 14 in the first half and 36-28 at the break,quickly closed the gap in the second half.
Prince led a 21-11 run with seven quick points, and the Wildcats made it48-47 with 12:35 to play on Desmond Allison’s tip-in.
After an Auburn miss, Kentucky took its first lead since 5-4 in the firsthalf on Bogans’ jumper. That made it 49-48 with 12:07 to play.
The Wildcats stretched their lead to 55-50 with 8:21 to play as Auburnmissed five straight shots. Jules Camara got the rebound on his own miss andconnected on a 12-foot jumper, Prince hit a layup and Camara made anotherjumper.
“We made a gallant effort to come back, but we couldn’t sustain thedrive,” Smith said. “It was a great game, though.”
Auburn was able to cut the score to 55-54 on two tip-ins by Porter, butPorter landed hard on his shoulder after the second one and left the game with6:27 to play.
He returned at the 5:15 mark to a deafening chant of “Porter! Porter!” andsparked the Tigers with two huge defensive rebounds, setting the stage forAuburn’s victory.
“I just banged my arm really hard, but I wasn’t going to let it keep me outof the game,” Porter said. “This win is very satisfying.”
Robinson, who opened the game seemingly out to prove Harrick wrong, equaledhis scoring average in the first half with 10 points and made all five of hisshots. He finished 8-of-11 and had nine rebounds.
Fishback finished with 17 points, including three first-half 3-pointers.
