No. 20 Auburn needed overtime to avoid a stunning upset in Steven Pearl's head-coaching debut on Monday, as the Tigers held off visiting Bethune-Cookman, 95-90.

With Auburn (1-0) leading 81-78, Elyjah Freeman fouled Bethune-Cookman's Arterio Morris on a 3-point attempt with less than a second remaining in regulation. Morris made all three foul shots, part of his 20 points.

Morris also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds for the Wildcats (0-1).

Ariel Bland's tip-in to start the extra frame gave Bethune-Cookman the initial edge in overtime on a night that neither team led by more than six points at any juncture.

Auburn answered when Keyshawn Hall scored an and-one, part of his five consecutive points on the way to a game-high 28.

Hall bookended a pivotal 6-0 Tigers run with free throws, whi

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