Auburn didn’t make it easy on itself Wednesday night, and for most of the first half it showed. Both teams spent the opening 20 minutes trading runs — Auburn built a lead, NC State answered with a 13–0 burst of its own, and neither side really grabbed control. The game stayed tight until halftime, and the only reason Auburn didn’t fall behind was because Keyshawn Hall and Kevin Overton kept bailing them out possession after possession.
Hall finished with 28 points on 9-of-14 shooting, going 5-of-7 from deep, and added 10 rebounds. He also led the team with six turnovers, but every time Auburn needed a steadying play, he provided it.