Earnest Ross scored 16 points, and Auburn shook off stubborn USC Upstate in the second half of a 68-54 victory Tuesday at Auburn. The Tigers (4-7) snapped a three-game losing streak in winning for the first time since Dec. 5.

In a matchup of two struggling teams – the squads were a combined 5-15 coming in – the Tigers carried a 29-26 lead into halftime. Tony Dukes pulled the Spartans within 39-38 on a 3-pointer with 12:10 to play, but Auburn pulled away from that point.

The Tigers scored 11 unanswered points, capping the run on Earnest Ross’s 3-pointer with 9:58 left, giving Auburn a 50-38 advantage. The Spartans would not come within eight points the rest of the way.

Auburn enjoyed a large advantage at the free-throw line, hitting 23-of-31 attempts while USC-Upstate finished just 3-of-8. Frankie Sullivan scored 14 points for Auburn. Josh Wallace scored 13 points and Kenny Gabriel added 10. Dukes led the Spartans (2-9) with 13 points.

Auburn plays host to Georgia Southern on Dec. 29, while USC Upstate travels to Virginia Tech on Dec. 30.