Presbyterian hangs on to beat Auburn 62-59

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Khalid Mutakabbir scored 17 points and and Al’Lonzo Coleman had 13 points and 16 rebounds as Presbyterian built a big early lead and hung on to beat Auburn 62-59 Saturday night.

It was the first win for the Blue Hose (5-6) over a team from a Bowl Championionship Series conference.

Presbyterian opened the game with a 19-4 run and led by as many as 20 points in the first half and 38-23 at halftime.

The Tigers (3-7), who lost their third straight, used a 14-2 second-half run to cut a 50-37 deficit to 52-51 with 2:52 left, but they were never able to take the lead or tie the game.

A 3-pointer by Mutakabbir and layups by Coleman and Walt Allen helped keep Presbyterian in front before Josh Wallace’s layup cut Auburn’s deficit to 60-59 with 12 seconds left. Mutakabbir and Coleman each made 1 of 2 free throws to ice the game.

Rob Chubb scored 15 points to lead Auburn.