In their opening round of the 2024 Maui Invitational, the Auburn Tigers made some history.

For the first time in school history, Auburn will eliminate two top five teams in the same season. First it was Houston on Nov. 9, and next up is No. 5 Iowa State, which won 83-81.

Trailing the Cyclones by 16 points at halftime, the Tigers stormed back in the second half, fueled by 18 points from Chad Baker-Mazara and a team-high 21 points from Johni Broome, including the winning tip-in with seconds left to go.

Iowa State shot 47% from the floor as a team led by Keshon Gilbert’s 23 points.

Before we take on the winner of North Carolina and Dayton in Maui’s nightcap, here are three takeaways from Monday’s game:

Iowa State’s defense confuses Auburn early

Iowa State entered Monday night’s game with one of the best defenses in the country. This was proven once again by forcing seven on Auburn in the first half.

The Cyclones scored 11 points off the Tigers’ turnovers and outscored them 14-3 on fastbreak points. Auburn shot 29% from three-point range and hit just four in the first half.

Tahaad Pettiford and Broome combined for 20 points in the first half. However, Iowa State had five players with seven or more points entering the break.

Heroics in the second half lead to victory

Auburn started the second half by outscoring Iowa State 24-11, cutting the deficit to just one possession. The Tigers took their first lead in the final four minutes of the game on a pair of free throws from Denver Jones.

Pettiford finished with 14 points off the bench. Jones and Miles Kelly combined for 24 points after a slow start in the first half.

Ja’Heim Hudson returns to the court, not Jahki Howard

After serving a three-game suspension for his role in the physical altercation during a team flight, Ja’Heim Hudson saw action against Iowa State.

Hudson played four minutes in the first half and finished with a rebound and an assist.

Jahki Howard, who was also suspended, did not see playing time for the third straight game. He hasn’t seen action since the season opener.

Auburn plays the winner of North Carolina and Dayton on Tuesday at 10 p.m. on ESPN.