After Saturday’s loss to Presbyterian, Auburn players said teammate Frankie Sullivan’s return to the floor provided a spark, even though the junior guard played sparingly.

Tuesday, Sullivan provided so much more.

Less than five months after reconstructive knee surgery, Sullivan scored 14 points in his first start of the season to lead the Tigers to a 68-54 win over USC Upstate, snapping a three-game losing streak.

“He’s provided a spark since he’s been back practicing,” Auburn head coach Tony Barbee said. “And the team has fed off that.”

But even though Sullivan is back, Barbee still warns everyone that it’s not the “old Frankie.”

“We can’t expect him to do all the old things he’s always done,” Barbee said. “It’ll come in time, but it’s not going to come right away. But his toughness, hopefully, becomes contagious. His leadership is invaluable, and that’s what I was looking for to having him with this group this year, because we need it desperately.”

And that was enough in Tuesday’s win, even though Sullivan also knows he’s not 100 percent.

Still, six assists and five steals, while playing 28 minutes – second only to Josh Wallace’s 29 – isn’t too shabby this soon after an ACL tear.

“Coach is trying to get me in the game as much as he can because of my leadership and what I can do on the floor,” Sullivan said. “I’ve gotten more comfortable, not trying to do as much. I know what I can do coming off this injury. I know I can’t crossover like I used to. I know I’m not as quick as I used to (be). So I just try to use what I got.”

Auburn (4-7) struggled to break away from Upstate (2-9) in the first half, going into the break leading by just 3 points. But midway through the second, the Tigers found some rhythm, going on an 11-0 run to distance themselves.

The run was highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers by Sullivan and Earnest Ross. After an Upstate 3, a hook shot by Kenny Gabriel and another 3 by Ross gave Auburn a 12-point lead, 50-38, its largest since a 28-point win over Georgia Southwestern on Nov. 30.

A breakaway dunk by Allen Payne with 42 seconds to play gave Auburn a 16-point lead, the Tigers’ largest of the night.

Ross led all scorers with 16 points coming off the bench, while Wallace added 13 and Kenny Gabriel scored 10 for the Tigers.

Tony Dukes led Upstate with 13 points.

Now comes the Christmas break and some time off before Auburn hosts Georgia Southern on Dec. 29.

“A little win going into the break always goes a long way,” Barbee said. “Always.”

Barbee said he’s going to give his players some time to go home and relax in the eight days leading up to the Tigers’ next game.

However, he’s hoping he and his players come back with something they need.

“Hopefully, Santa puts some more patience under my Christmas tree,” Barbee said. “But I told them, I hope Santa puts some toughness and some grittiness and some meanness under their trees. Because we’re lacking in that area. And we’re going to have to get that to compete against some of the teams we’ve got coming up on the schedule.”

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