Jan. 18, 2007
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Auburn (15-5, 2-2 SEC) got standout performances from DeWanna Bonner and Whitney Boddie en route to a 74-69 win over Florida (6-13, 0-4 SEC) Thursday night in Gainesville, Fla. Bonner notched her ninth double-double of the season with 21 points and a career-best 15 boards, while Boddie's 21 points were a career-high for her as well. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>
"Whitney was outstanding tonight, especially at the free-throw line down the stretch," Auburn head coach Nell Fortner said. "DeWanna made a tough, game-changing shot late that was big for us."
Eleven of Boddie's 21 came at the free-throw line, including nine of those 11 in the second half. Sherell Hobbs also had a big night for Auburn, netting 19 points in the win.
In a back-and-forth second half, Florida battled from a 16-point first-half deficit to tie the game at 48 with 11:03 remaining. In response, Auburn scored nine straight to regain a 57-48 advantage. The Gators then pulled off an 8-0 run to get within one at the 5:47 mark
In the next four-plus minutes, Auburn's lead varied between one and five points before Bonner hit a pull-up jumper as the shot clock expired with 1:12 remaining to give Auburn an insurmountable lead at 69-63. The Gators were then forced to foul, sending Boddie and Bonner to the line. Boddie hit three of four free throws and Bonner hit two of two in the final minute to seal the win for the Tigers.
Auburn led by only two, 29-27, at halftime after Florida closed the period on a 15-1 run. The Tigers led 28-12 with 5:37 to play in the half, but the Gators converted on seven of their final eight possessions while allowing Auburn only one free throw. Auburn failed to make a field goal in the last 8:31 of the frame.
The Tigers opened the contest with a flurry, netting 14 points before the Gators managed to score.
The win was Fortner's first in Gainesville and the second time this season Auburn won without hitting a three. The Tigers beat Nevada on Dec. 1st without converting from beyond the arc.
Florida's Marshae Dotson and Sha Brooks had 26 and 24 points, respectively, to lead all scorers.
Auburn returns to Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, Jan. 21st, for a 2 p.m. CT contest with Kentucky.