Nov. 15, 2006
AUBURN, Ala. - Sherell Hobbs netted a career-high 22 points and added nine rebounds as Auburn (2-0) topped Alabama State (0-1), 84-47, Wednesday night at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum. Hobbs' performance was a five-point improvement on her previous career high, 17, which was Nov. 10 at Western Carolina.
"To have Sherell playing at the level she is playing right now is a real plus for us," Auburn head coach Nell Fortner said. "That helps this team get to another level."
Three other Tigers improved their career bests in the game as well. KeKe Carrier was one block away from a triple-double, tallying a career-high nine to go with her 11 points and ten rebounds. Joanna Clayden hit five threes, four in the second half, for a career-high 15 points, while Whitney Boddie dished a career-best nine assists.
Auburn pulled away from the Hornets in the second half, the result of a 21-0 run midway through the period. An Erin Etheridge layup at the 7:50 mark of the second half ended a Hornets scoreless streak of seven minutes and 36 seconds. During the stretch Auburn made six of eight attempts from the field, while Alabama State misfired on 12 consecutive shots.
Auburn's largest lead of the first half, 38-22, came on the strength of a 14-6 run to close the period. Prior the run, the Hornets had climbed to within eight points on the strength of a L'Teisha Holloway jumper.
Auburn opened the game with 12 unanswered points, while the Hornets missed their first eight field goal attempts before Holloway nailed a jump shot at the 10:20 mark.
Holloway was Alabama State's leading scorer, putting 14 points on the board and adding six rebounds and five assists.
Auburn out-rebounded the Hornets 51-31, an effort that contributed to 16 second-chance points against just two for Alabama State. The Tigers also outscored the Hornets 22-12 in the paint and 20-8 off of turnovers.
Auburn shot 24-of-53 from the field (45.3 %), while holding Alabama State to 14 field goals on 57 attempts (29.6 %). Auburn also shot 57.1% from beyond the arc, compared to just 31.3% for the Hornets.
With the win, Auburn moved to 31-5 in home openers while improving to 17-0 all time against Alabama State.
The Tigers return to action Friday vs. Winston-Salem State. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. CT at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum.