Knights even record in win over McArthur

ROCKFORD - The McArthur Mustangs whittled a 15-point deficit down to one point in the fourth quarter, but the Florida school never could get in front as the Auburn Knights held on for a 58-52 win at the final game at Auburn Wednesday afternoon.

The result left both teams 2-2 for the 205 Tip-Off Classic.

Auburn's signature pressure defense held McArthur to just 21 points in the first half. The Knights pushed the lead to 15 in the third quarter before the Mustangs began to rally. McArthur cut the lead to 48-47 before Auburn pulled away behind sophomore Josh Ausler.

Ausler scored nine of his game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter. No other Auburn player cracked double-figures.

Trevor Ward led the Mustangs, who wrapped up their third straight year in the Classic, with 15 points. Rahmel Davis added 12 and Jordan Howard added 11.

BOXSCORE

Rockford Auburn 58, Hollywood McArthur 52

McArthur .... 9 12 14 17 - 52
Auburn .......15 15 11 17 - 58

MCARTHUR - Howard 4 2-2 11, Ward 4 5-6 15, Davis 5 2-3 12, Shaw 3 0-0 8, Gusendanner 1 0-0 2, Garcia 1 2-2 4, Pack 0 0-2 0. Totals 18 11-15 52.
AUBURN - Ausler 9 2-2 23, H. Johnson 2 0-0 4, Whitt 3 2-2 9, Davis 2 0-2 4, M. Williams 1 6-6 8, Chaney 1 0-0 2, Sanders 4 0-0 8. Totals 22 10-12 58.
3-pt FG: McArthur 5 (Ward 2, Shaw 2, Howard), Auburn 4 (Ausler 3, Whitt).

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