Chris Denson scored 13 points in his first appearance this season as Auburn defeated Grambling State 92-42 Tuesday night, snapping a four-game losing streak.
Auburn (3-5) won for only the second time in seven games as Denson provided Frankie Sullivan, the leading scorer in the Southeastern Conference, some much-needed support.
A junior guard, Denson missed the first seven games because he was academically ineligible. Last season, he averaged 8.7 points per game. Denson had seven by halftime against Grambling State.
Sullivan, who came in averaging 19.7 points per game, had 10 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals. Noel Johnson and Jordan Price added 14 points apiece off the bench and Rob Chubb had 10 points.
Grambling State (0-7), which has lost all of its games on the road, was led by guard Derron Hobbs' 11 points. Leading scorer Terry Rose was held to eight points, half his average.
After a 10-day break for final exams, Auburn started sluggish. The game was tied at 3 entering the first media timeout, and Auburn missed its first seven field goals.
Auburn then went on an 18-5 run to grab a 21-8 lead. The game was never within single digits during the final nine minutes of the first half, and Auburn led 27-15 at halftime.
Auburn scored 65 points in the second half, the most points since scoring 73 in a half against Troy State on Dec. 9, 1993.
After the break, Auburn shot 67.6 percent (25 of 37) from the field and 64.3 percent (9 of 14) from beyond the 3-point arc.
Auburn got 36 points off turnovers, 22 in the second half, with many of the points coming on fast-break dunks. Auburn also finished with six dunks, five in the second half.
