The greatest regular-season event in college basketball is back where it belongs and delivering big-time on Day 1

By the time Auburn took the lead with about four minutes to play, Iowa State snapped back into action, even taking an 81-79 lead with 50 seconds left off two Gilbert free-throws. But Auburn quickly answered, as Dylan Cardwell found Miles Kelly inside for a cutting layup, setting the stage for the pivotal last 30 seconds.

Despite a rough first half in which Auburn trailed the Iowa State Cyclones by as much as 18 points, they dug deep and found a way to get the job done in their first contest of the Maui Invitational. Iowa State led 49-33 at the end of the first half.