Johni Broome had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and host Auburn led by 24 points just under 11 minutes into the game en route to an 89-56 rout of Missouri on Tuesday.

With the win, Auburn (18-8, 8-5 Southeastern Conference) gained sole possession of fourth place in the SEC, moving a half-game ahead of idle Kentucky. The Wildcats play at Mississippi State on Wednesday night.

Allen Flanigan had 16 points, and K.D. Johnson scored 14 of his 15 points in the first half. Dylan Cardwell had eight points and 10 rebounds. Auburn held a 48-26 advantage on the glass.

For Missouri (19-7, 7-6), Sean East II had 14 points and four rebounds. DeAndre Gholston — Saturday’s half-court, buzzer-beating hero in an upset at Tennessee — netted 10 points and made all eight of his free throws.

This week in the leadup to the contest, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl preached to his group that the game was a “must win” for the Tigers’ postseason chances, and his players took the message to heart.

Flanigan drained a 3-pointer and Broome dunked for a 5-0 lead while Missouri missed its first six shots from the floor. That lead gradually grew as Missouri remained ice cold from the field, making just 1 of 9 shots and turning the ball over three times.

Johnson’s corner trey at 13:06 of the first half capped a 14-0 run to make it 19-2, forcing first-year Missouri coach Dennis Gates to call timeout. With 9:02 left, Flanigan drove the lane and rocked a left-handed slam for a 30-6 lead.

The visitors got on track a bit, but Auburn outscored Missouri by three in the remainder of the half to take a 45-18 halftime lead.

Auburn made half of its field goals (17 of 34) and 3-pointers (6 of 12), while Missouri had more turnovers (11) than made baskets (seven) and missed all eight shots from long range.

In a very similar second half, Auburn continued to pour it on at will — leading by as many as 39 with 2:10 left — and rolled on to win for just the second time in its past seven outings.

–Field Level Media