Feb. 17, 2008
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AUBURN - Four of five starters scored in double digits, leading Auburn to an 83-72 victory over South Carolina (13-12, 2-8 SEC) on Sunday in Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum, improving the Tigers to 18-7, 6-4 SEC. The win marks the third straight over an SEC opponent, tying the most consecutive wins by a Nell Fortner team in league play.
"It was an important win and a great crowd," said Auburn head coach Nell Fortner. "The promotion for the game, for breast cancer awareness, and to win an SEC game; it was a great day.
"We almost had five players shooting in double figures. I thought what was most important was how South Carolina was shooting the ball. That was probably the best they have done all year long. We've watched a lot of tape on them, but shooting the ball, they were just on fire so we had to shoot well, too."
With 18 points and 12 rebounds, DeWanna Bonner posted her 26th career double-double and 10th of the season. Sherell Hobbs and freshman Alli Smalley also put up 18 points with Tamela McCorvey on their heels with 15 of her own.
"The main thing we focused on was rebounding and making sure we were boxing out," said Hobbs. "We knew they had a good three-point shooter in Jordan Jones. We just wanted to make her take two-point baskets.
"Coach was telling us we had to be aggressive and go to the basket. We kept attacking and they were fouling us. I took the shots I had. They were focused on DeWanna and that opened up shots for me."
Of the ten South Carolina players who saw playing time, nine put points on the board. Forward Demetress Adams carried the Gamecocks on both ends with 17 points and nine rebounds.
The Tigers nursed a single digit lead through much of the first half. Twelve minutes in, with the score 21-18 in Auburn's favor, the Tigers went on a six-point run and appeared to be opening the gap on the Gamecocks.
With 6:36 on the clock, a breakaway layup by Hobbs on a half court pass from Smalley and a subsequent three-pointer from the freshman upped the Auburn lead to 11. That momentum didn't last long as Ebony Jones replied with a three of her own, cutting the lead to single digits.
The Gamecocks followed suit and went on a six-point run of their own, capped off by a steal and layup by Adams.
The two teams exchanged four three-pointers in the closing minutes and Auburn went into the locker room with a 37-33 lead at the half.
South Carolina came out quick to open the second half, cutting the lead to two. Fortunately for the Tigers, it was the closest the Gamecocks would get the rest of the afternoon.
With 14:09 on the clock, momentum started to build for the Tigers as McCorvey connected on one of her three 3-pointers. The next play, Bonner came up with a huge steal and score.
Another steal and five points later, the Tigers were up by twelve. The Gamecocks were not allowed to get within seven points of Auburn the rest of the game.
Auburn, 17-0 when leading at the half this season, are now 50-1 all-time under head coach Nell Fortner when scoring 70 points or more.
Bonner led the team in rebounding for the 20th time this season and 48th time in her career. With her steal today, Sherell Hobbs has recorded at least one steal in 19 straight games.
The Tigers return to action Feb. 21 in Oxford, Miss., at the C.M. "Tad" Smith Coliseum when they take on Ole Miss (10-13, 4-6 SEC). Tipoff is at 8 p.m. and will be televised by FSN South.