AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - Earnest Ross scored 20 points and made two free throws late in overtime to seal it as Auburn defeated Georgia Southern 88-84 in overtime on Wednesday night.

The Tigers (5-7) led by as many as 29 points in the first half and had a 52-25 advantage at halftime before the Eagles stormed back.

Advertisement

Georgia Southern (4-10) held Auburn scoreless for more than 6 minutes and went on a 15-0 run to bring it within 59-49 with 9:43 to go.

The Eagles used an 11-5 run late in regulation to send it into overtime, 76-76, on Ben Drayton's 3 with 6 seconds left.

Auburn made 9 of 10 from the free-throw line in the first half, before hitting 9 of 19 in the second. Georgia Southern sent the Tigers to the line 11 times in overtime, as they made eight.

Frankie Sullivan scored 17 for Auburn, Rob Chubb 12 and Josh Langford 11.

The Tigers were without second-leading scorer Andre Malone (11.7 points per game), who coach Tony Barbee said left the team since the Tigers' last game against USC-Upstate on Dec. 21.

Eric Ferguson led the Eagles with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Drayton and Zuri James added 18 for Georgia Southern.