Auburn is on a two-game losing skid after Saturday’s 80-77 loss against Big 12 foe West Virginia. The Tigers entered the locker room at halftime trailing 49-25 on the road. Auburn shot 11-27 from the field, 22% from three (2-9), and went 5-8 from the charity stripe.

Erik Stevenson scored 18 of his game-high 31 points in the first half. Stevenson and his teammates shot 15-27 from the field and three of seven from three. One of the main issues for the Tigers was the disparity at the free-throw line. Bob Huggins’ squad was 12-13 from the line in the first half.

Johni Broome overcame a scoreless first half because of foul trouble to score 15 points in the second half for Bruce Pearl’s team. Jaylin Williams scored 12 of his 18 points in the second half. He shot 4-6 from the field in the final 20 minutes and 1-2 from three.

Auburn went from a woeful first-half performance to outscoring the Mountaineers 48-35 in the second frame, but it wouldn’t be enough.

“Disappointing loss,” Pearl said. Worked really hard to battle back in the second half from being down 16, but last four minutes didn’t get the defensive stops we’d gotten for the second half.”

K.D. Johnson was another Tiger who excelled in the second half. His steal at the 3:59 mark, followed by a layup, brought the Tigers within one point of the WVU advantage. Johnson scored nine of 10 points in the second half.

Pearl appreciated Johnson’s effort after a string of tough outings for the Georgia transfer.

“I’m pleased that K.D. played better. He’s been patient,” Pearl said. “Trying not to turn it over, trying not to do too much. He’s been in the gym a little extra this week.”

Broome hit a layup with less than seven seconds left. Stevenson missed one of his two free throws on the ensuing possession. The Tigers had a shot to send the game to overtime. Wendell Green’s buzzer-beater attempt from three clanged off the iron securing the victory for West Virginia.

Green finished the night with nine points on 2-10 shooting and 1-5 from three. He hit all four free throws, including two pivotal shots late in the second half. Auburn had four players in double-digits. Williams led the team with 18 points, Broome scored 15, Allen Flanigan had 13, and Johnson added 10.

Auburn is 16-5, and 6-2 in Southeastern Conference play after Saturday’s loss against the Mountaineers and Wednesday’s defeat against Texas A&M. Games won’t get any easier for the Tigers. Their next game is against Georgia at Neville Arena.

Georgia defeated Auburn 76-64 in Athens earlier this season. Auburn ends the week with a trip to Knoxville for a game against Tennessee. Pearl called the loss a “Missed prize” but found some positives with how the team supported each other in a hostile environment.

“I’m proud of the kids for playing hard in a tough environment,” Pearl said. “The togetherness on the bench was the best we’ve had all year. Guys were rooting hard for each other.”

We’ll find out soon enough if the Tigers can build off the comeback effort against West Virginia.

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group.