BREAKING: Auburn Basketball goes toe-to-toe with the No. 1 team in the country, losing a 73–72 thriller to Houston. The Tigers were one shot and a few free throws away from a massive statement win, but the big story tonight was how good this team actually looked.

Auburn’s first real test of the season showed grit, fight, and legitimate March potential. Keyshawn Hall was the Tigers’ heartbeat before exiting with an injury late, dropping 20 points and grabbing 11 boards. Tahad Pettiford bounced back with 15 points and showed flashes of his big-game DNA, while Stephen Pearl made it clear postgame — “Moral victories are for losers.”

Free throws were the killer: Auburn went 21-of-33 from the line and missed twelve in a one-point loss. Still, this team looks physical, well-coached, and capable of taking down anyone. As they prep for Jackson State, Oregon, Michigan, and Purdue, it’s clear — Auburn’s ceiling is still rising.

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