After a nine-day break, Auburn men’s basketball returned to Neville Arena looking for one last easy buy game win before starting conference play.

While Auburn did get the win, beating Monmouth 87-58, it didn’t always look easy. It took the Tigers until late in the first half to gain control of the game.

Auburn finished off a lopsided win in the end, improving its record to 12-1 going into Southeastern Conference play this weekend.

Here are three takeaways from the win over Monmouth:

Slow start

Monday night’s win didn’t follow the typical formula of Auburn pouncing to a big lead and cruising. Monmouth led at the first media timeout and stayed close for most of the first half.

Auburn looked out of sorts defensively to start the game, giving up open shots both in transition and caused by dribble penetration. Monmouth took advantage of that in the first few minutes, starting the game making its first three 3-pointers.

The defensive gameplan was fairly clear early on, with Auburn placing extra attention on Monmouth’s leading scorer, Abdi Bashir Jr. He often occupied multiple defenders, which led to some openings in dribble penetration and a few miscommunications in transition.

Auburn eventually turned things around, ending the first half on an 18-0 run. During that run, the defense tightened things up and Bashir was hardly able to get a touch.

“We had a plan about doubling him but then I told coach personally that I wanted him. I wanted that challenge,” Chad Baker-Mazara said after the game of guard Bashir. “And the rest is history. I’ll let you guys do the math with that one.”

Chaney Johnson’s boost

As the scoreboard read 28-28 at the 6:32 mark of the first half, Auburn was looking for a run to end the first half and take full control of the game into the halftime locker room.

The Tigers got just that, scoring 18 unanswered before the halftime buzzer sounded, and the surge was led by Chaney Johnson.

Johnson, who finished the game with 12 points, started the run with 10 straight points of his own. His baskets came in the half court, in transition and at the free throw line, immediately bringing a balanced offensive spark after replacing the injured Dylan Cardwell, who didn’t return until the second half.

Johnson has been an impact player off the bench for Auburn all season and Monday night was no different. Not only were his 10 straight points and 12 total points impressive, he also finished the game +30 in 19 minutes played.

A new season begins

The buy games, showcases and invitationals are over.

Auburn emerged from its daunting nonconference slate an impressive 12-1, but now the real gauntlet begins. The SEC is stronger than it’s arguably ever been this season, meaning there are no more easy games left on the schedule.

Through 13 games, though, there’s no reason to believe the Tigers aren’t ready for the challenge. Monday wasn’t a perfect 40 minutes, and the big win didn’t come against SEC-level competition, but it capped off a nonconference schedule that featured wins over teams like Houston, Iowa State and Purdue.

Other than a different result at Duke, Auburn couldn’t ask for much more out of nonconference play. But championships aren’t won in December, so there’s no time for Auburn to sleepwalk or get complacent. There might have been a hint of that to start Monday’s game.

Nevertheless, the Tigers have put themselves in position to be a national contender entering conference play. Saturday will be the first step in determining whether or not they play up to that level.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at prauterkus@al.com