Feb. 15, 2007
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Auburn (17-10, 4-7 SEC) battled back from a 12-point second-half deficit to tie the game with 1:54 to play, but couldn't make the necessary defensive stops down the stretch in a 70-61 loss to South Carolina (15-12, 5-7 SEC) Thursday night in Columbia. The Gamecock's Stacy Booker scored nine points in the final two minutes to finish off the Tigers.
"We made a nice comeback," Auburn head coach Nell Fortner said. "We just couldn't contain Stacy Booker. She had a great night, and we didn't have answer for her."
Booker scored 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including a 5-of-7 performance from three. Sherell Hobbs led Auburn with 16 points, while Whitney Boddie added 13 and Tamela McCorvey netted 12. Auburn's leading scorer this season, DeWanna Bonner, did not score in the game.
Trevesha Jackson hit two free throws at the 1:54 mark of the second half to cap a 16-4 Auburn run and knot the score at 61. Jackson's points would be Auburn's last of the game.
Booker found herself open from three on the Gamecock's next possession and didn't waste the opportunity. Gamecock Demetress Adams blocked a Boddie jumper on Auburn's ensuing possession and South Carolina grabbed the loose ball and called timeout.
Booker penetrated and scored a layup after the timeout, which made the score 66-61 with 42 seconds to play. Auburn was forced to foul and picked the wrong person twice, sending Booker to the line where she converted on all four attempts.
Auburn trailed 33-25 at the half after going without a point for the final 3:53 of the period. The Tigers traded baskets with the Gamecocks for the first 24 points of the game before opening a 17-12 lead on the strength of a three-point play from Boddie and a Jackson jumper. South Carolina battled back to tie the game at 21 and built a small lead when the Tigers went cold late in the period.
The Tigers return to Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum to entertain No. 11 Georgia on Feb. 22nd. The game will be televised by FSN South and will tip off at 3 p.m.