Observations: Auburn 80, Texas Southern 63

Even with a limited amount of fans, Auburn Arena was buzzing with energy Tuesday as Bruce Pearl's young Tigers surged for another win.

PF/C Jaylin Williams (Shanna Lockwood/Auburn Athletics)

During Auburn basketball’s home opener against South Alabama last week, the Tigers rode a hot start and held onto it for a high-scoring victory.

In their second game inside Auburn Arena, these Tigers found themselves down by a point to a Texas Southern team filled with veteran, former power-conference transfers. The shots weren’t falling, and the inconsistent defense was creeping up yet again.

But a big second-half surge — led by a brand-new tweak to the rotation — paved the way for a much easier 80-63 win for Auburn, which is now 4-2 and a winner of three straight games.

“I thought we played well,” Bruce Pearl said. “Played better. People will point to the second half where the outcome was better. I thought offensively we were good throughout the night. To only have nine turnovers and score 80 points, I think that’s a real positive.”

Here are four key Observations from the first of four straight at home for Auburn basketball, along w…