AUBURN, Ala. -- Jordan Price scored 12 points and pulled within distance of threatening the NCAA record for consecutive made 3-pointers as Auburn defeated Tennessee Tech 81-62 on Tuesday night.

The victory pulled Auburn (5-5) to .500 for the first time since a one-point loss Nov. 21 at Boston College. Tennessee Tech (6-5) has lost two of its past three games.

Price was 3 for 3 from behind the arc, making him 11 for 11 in his past three games. Each of his 3-pointers came in the first half, and he committed a technical foul for taunting after the last. The freshman was quickly benched, but he returned shortly.

The NCAA record for consecutive made 3-pointers is 15, set by Northwestern's Todd Leslie in 1990.

Price's long-range shooting, though, wasn't the primary highlight Tuesday.

Auburn junior guard Chris Denson caught a pass near half court in the first half and raced for the basket. Tennessee Tech's 6-foot-5 guard Matt Marseille measured his steps and went up for a block attempt, but Denson dunked it over him.

Denson finished with 20 points, his third straight double-digit scoring game since returning from academic ineligibility. Senior guard Josh Wallace had 11 points, seven assists and three steals.

Senior guard Jud Dillard led Tennessee Tech with 22 points and added seven rebounds, while junior forward Dennis Ogbe had 14 points and seven rebounds.

Auburn closed the first half on a 12-3 run, extending its lead to 38-21 at the break. The Tigers got 19 points from freshmen -- Price with 12 and Shaq Johnson with seven -- in the opening 20 minutes.

Tennessee Tech did not pull within single digits in the final 20 minutes.