BIRMINGHAM — In a sequence that didn't last more than two minutes, Auburn basketball guard Tre Donaldson connected on three 3-pointers, leading a 13-2 run that put the Tigers on top by as many as 17 points in the second half of their 83-75 win over Iowa in the first round of March Madness on Thursday.

Donaldson, a freshman that hadn't made more than two triples in a single game all season long, said walking into Legacy Arena to play in an NCAA Tournament game brought tears to his eyes.

"It gives me chills just talking about it," Donaldson said. "God has given us the opportunity to come showcase our skills on a high level like this. That’s all you can ask for.”

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The Tigers, who have become all too familiar with finishing on the wrong end of close games, withstood a 21-8 run from Iowa that cut Auburn's lead to four points with 5:06 remaining.

“I feel like we got back to playing Auburn basketball," Donaldson said of what was different this time. "We’re playing Auburn basketball at the right time, when it matters most in the Dance. At this time of the year, it’s about surviving and advancing, and I feel like that’s what we did tonight playing Auburn basketball.”

Donaldson has appeared in 30 games this year, averaging 2.1 points and 1.2 assists in 10.5 minutes.

"God blessed me with talent and the ability and the confidence to make shots like that in big moments," he said. "That’s what I did tonight.”

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn basketball's Tre Donaldson on his performance in March Madness