Auburn's Overseas Test
Auburn’s men’s basketball team opened its international tour with a convincing 92‑71 win over KK Mega SuperBet in Greece, a result that underscored the squad’s early chemistry despite a rusty first outing.
Kevin Overton was the offensive catalyst, pouring in 21 points while shooting 8‑of‑14 from the field and hitting half of his three‑point attempts. His performance earned him the game’s player‑of‑the‑game honor, complemented by two steals and three assists.
The Tigers surged ahead in the opening quarter, outscoring their opponents 27‑19, and carried a 48‑34 lead into halftime. Thomas Dowd contributed a double‑double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, adding a three‑pointer before the break.
Freshman Caleb Williams added 12 points and seven rebounds, while transfers Adam Olsen and returning veteran Blake Muschalek each chipped in 12 points. Tahaad Pettiford, the point guard, dished out nine assists and scored 12 points, helping orchestrate the offense.
Auburn shot 48 % from the floor and dominated the glass, outrebounding KK Mega SuperBet 37‑26. The team’s efficiency was tempered by 15 turnovers, a predictable figure given the first‑game rust.
Opponents were led by Backo Pavle, who tallied 22 points but struggled with a 44 % field‑goal rate on 27‑of‑61 shooting. The win highlighted both the Tigers’ strengths and the areas that need refinement before the Sunday rematch.
Four players — Narcisse Ngoy, Mantas Rubštavičius, George Kimble III and Owen Freeman — were unavailable for the contest. Coach staff indicated that both Kimble III and Freeman are expected to return for the next season, offering depth for upcoming fixtures.
The starting lineup featured Pettiford, Overton, Wilson, Dowd and Bukky Oboye, a mix of experienced returnees and fresh talent that will be tested again in the rematch.