All-Southeastern Conference second-team point guard Wendell Green plays with a tenacity that allows him to overcome often being the shortest player on the court. His fearlessness flourished in the clutch during Thursday’s first-round win at Legacy Arena against Iowa.

Green had five points on 1-7 from the field, 1-5 from three, and 2-2 from the free throw line with an assist and a rebound when he re-entered the game with Auburn ahead 64-56 at the 7:03 mark in the second half. The Tigers went from leading by 17 points with 10:50 remaining to an eight-point advantage.

Kris Murray converted a two-handed dunk to bring the Hawkeyes within four points with a little over five minutes left in the game. Auburn needed someone to step up, and Green answered the call.

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Lots of players would be afraid to keep shooting after struggling. That’s not Green’s way, and it’s an essential reason why No. 9-seed Auburn (21-12) advanced to face No. 1 seed Houston (32-3) with a chance to go to the Sweet 16.

“I don’t think how many shots I make dictates if I play good or bad,” Green said. “You know, I do a lot of other things on the court, and my teammates expect me to do a lot of other things on the court to keep the team going and to get us a win. If my shots are not falling, that’s just one part of my game that’s not working. But there are other things I can do out there, and I think I showed that the other day.”

He hit a layup to put the Tigers up six at the 4:27 mark. He finished the game with 15 points, including going 6-6 from the free throw line to help Auburn complete the 83-75 win.

Green’s undeterred confidence is infectious. His teammates believe that Green will find ways to contribute to winning even when his shot isn’t falling.

“I’ve been with him for two years,” Auburn guard K.D. Johnson, who scored 11 points in the Tiger win, said. “He came up big for us plenty of times, so my trust is all in him. Whatever he is with, I’m rocking with.”

Johni Broome led the Tigers with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks. Broome and Green had All-SEC honors and share a bond of playing in the Ohio Valley Conference before coming to Auburn. Broome was at Morehead State and Green at Eastern Kentucky. The Tigers center competed against Green and is a teammate, so he’s witnessed Green’s fortitude closer than most.

“He is a competitor. He is going to be on the court and make plays,” Broome said. “He is going to make the plays that we need to win the game, whether it’s if he goes 1-for-10, it don’t matter. He will end up going 9-for-9 free throws to ice the game. We all believe in him.”

Auburn hopes Green can continue to fuel its fire Saturday night against Houston.

“You know, they’re the No. 1 seed, so, I mean, that’s a good team, you know, so we just have to come ready to play,” Green said.

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group