GAME RECAP: Auburn 70, North Alabama 44

Maybe the anger stemming from the NCAA nonsense at the end of last week abated a bit, but whatever the reason, Auburn had to use a big second half tonight at home to pull away from North Alabama in a 70-44 victory.

The Tigers led just 32-27 at halftime with Steven Pearl serving as interim head coach as his father served the second of a two-game suspension as punishment from the Chuck Person affair. Add in the fact that Jaylin Williams sat this game out with a minor toe injury, and the Tigers had some of their juice on the bench and unavailable to help steady the team when necessary.

During the sluggish first half Auburn shot just 39% from the floor, 1-4 from the line, and saw no real…