rebounds.Idaho State (1-6), playing in its first home game, jumped to an early lead and was ahead 37-28 at the half. Lamars Christian Albrightt and Nick Garth nailed back-to-back 3-pointers and t

CANCUN, Mexico -- LeRon Smith made a crucial observation and followed it with a confident prediction sitting among his teammates on the bench Tuesday night.The Auburn forward watched again and again as Texas Techs Aaron Ross drove into the paint, hollered for the ball and hopped for easy layups. He watched as his teams lead got smaller and smaller, too.I was sitting on the bench, I asked, `Why doesnt someone just block his shot? Smith said. I said, `Theres no way Im going to let him get that layup.Smith came up with the block, swatting Rosss potential tying layup with four seconds left out to Texas Techs Zach Smith, who sailed a 3-pointer over the basket at the buzzer, and the Tigers held on for a 67-65 win in the Cancun Challenge.Mustapha Heron scored 15 points, Daniel Purifoy added 11 and Jared Harper netted 10 for Auburn (4-0), which led by 15 points with 11:15 left.Aaron Ross led the Red Raiders (3-1) with 17 points, Keenan Evans had 13 and Devon Thomas and Smith added 11 and 10, respectively. Smith grabbed 10 rebounds.Texas Tech is an NCAA tournament-caliber team, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. Theyre going to have a really good year. They didnt didnt get off to a very good start in either half and we did. I thought we played really good basketball in the first half.It was all Tigers at halftime. They led by 15 and dominated from midrange and added five 3-pointers. But the Red Raiders began to chip away and turned the rebounding battle in the second half, pulling down 20 to Auburns 11.Meanwhile, the Auburn offense went cold. Dunas snapped 4:18 skid without a field goal with a steal and fast-break layup to make it 65-59 with 1:18 to play.It didnt slow the Red Raiders, who continued a 28-15 run that ended when Thomas hit a layup with 32 seconds left to cut Auburns lead to 65-63. But the Tigers got free throws from Harper, who was 6 for 10 from the line but hit two in the final 25 seconds to keep the game out of reach.THE BIG PICTUREAuburn: The Tigers are 4-0 for the first time since 2011-12 and four underclassmen are helping them get it done. Bryce Brown, Jared Harper and Daniel Purifoy entered the game averaging in double figures and all chipped in equally against the Tigers. Auburn will try to win its fifth straight for the first time since 2004-05 on Tuesday.Texas Tech: Although they couldnt take the lead late, the Red Raiders, on their fourth head coach in six years, were able to keep the game within range. They did so with some explosive plays, including Zach Smiths furious slam dunk that cut Auburns lead to 53-45 with 7:52 left.PROTECTING THE RIMMaybe assistant coach Chuck Perkins overheard Smith as he noticed Ross cutting free to the basket?Pearl said Perkins suggested they put Smith in the game late. He had played just over 12 minutes to that point.Coach Persons suggested that I put LaRon in and I went with it, and it was a great call, Pearl said. Because LaRon is our best rim protector. . LaRon had some rebound baskets, he had some offensive rebounds and he was our best rim-protector at a very, very big time.LEARNING AND WINNINGHeron did plenty on the offensive side. Pearl noted the game began to shift as the true freshman got deeper into foul trouble. Heron picked up his third early in the second half and Texas Tech took advantage, getting inside the defense to sink 18 points in the paint over the final 20 minutes.The rebounding thing, it really swung in the second half. It energized them, Pearl said. I thought we stopped guarding in the second half. . Hes got to continue to guard and that, I think opened the door a little bit to Texas Techs run.UP NEXTBoth teams continue in the Cancun Challenge tomorrow. Walter Brown Jersey . Team physician Dr. Steve Traina performed the surgery Friday. Robinson was injured in a spill underneath the Nuggets basket during the first quarter of Wednesday nights loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. Marcus Smart Celtics Jersey . -- Aaron Murray threw for 408 yards and three touchdowns, ran for another score, and led No. http://www.authenticcelticsproshop.com/John-Havlicek-Jersey/ . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. Danny Ainge Celtics Jersey . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. Boston Celtics Jerseys . Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they looked comfortable. POCATELLO, Idaho -- Robert Jones had 18 points to help lead Idaho State to its first win of the season as the Bengals knocked off Lamar 77-60 on Tuesday night.Jones was 3 of 4 from beyond the arc and made 5 of 8 field goal attempts. Gary Chivichyan nailed 3 of 5 from long range for 13 points and Geno Luzcando added 12 points, had three steals and grabbed six rebounds.Idaho State (1-6), playing in its first home game, jumped to an early lead and was ahead 37-28 at the half. Lamars Christian Albrightt and Nick Garth nailed back-to-back 3-pointers and the Cardinals closed to 53-50 midway in the second period.dddddddddddd Novak Topalovic responded with a dunk to start an 8-0 run and Idaho State slowly pulled away.The Bengals hit 23 of 48 field goal attempts while limiting Lamar to 19-of-62 shooting.Colton Weisbrod led Lamar with 14 points and a career-best 17 rebounds. ' ' '