Jan. 3, 2009
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AUBURN - The ninth-ranked Auburn women's basketball team (15-0) finished non-conference play undefeated and unscathed with a 79-56 win Saturday over the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks (5-7). The Tigers were led by a 19-point effort from senior Sherell Hobbs after putting up a perfect 11-of-11 from the charity stripe.
"I'm really pleased finishing our non-conference season undefeated and taking that momentum to start the SEC season," said Auburn head coach Nell Fortner. "I feel very confident. I have a lot of confidence in this team, our veterans and their ability to recognize things on the floor. I've seen it all season long and it's just something that comes with experience."
Joining Hobbs in double-digits were senior DeWanna Bonner with 17, senior Trevesha Jackson with 12 and sophomore Alli Smalley with 10.
"Our preseason goals were to win championships and go undefeated in the preseason and we accomplished one of those goals today," said Hobbs. "We have to stay focused. Our next goal is to win the SEC championship."
Auburn took a 40-25 lead into the half after jumping out to a quick 14-0 lead to open the game, highlighted by a pair of threes from Smalley who led the Tigers with 10 first-half points.
Stephen F. Austin never found an answer to Auburn's inside presence as the Tigers dominated down low. The Ladyjacks were outrebounded, 48-27, and out-scored in the paint, 40-24, as the Tigers cruised to their 15th consecutive victory of the season. Auburn is currently one of only six undefeated teams left in the country, joining Connecticut, Kansas State, North Carolina, Texas A&M and Wake Forest.
With her 17 points on the day, Bonner moved up the ranks into fifth all-time at Auburn in career scoring with 1,728 points.
"We definitely have all of the pieces," said Bonner on the potential success of the team. "I think that we are mature, we have seniors this year, we have chemistry and I think everything is there for us to be a great team in this league."
On the day, Auburn shot 47 percent from the field and 72 percent from the line. The Tigers were, however, held to a season low six steals, less than half of their 12.5 average per game coming into today's matchup.
"We knew coming in that Auburn was very, very good," said Stephen F. Austin head coach Lee Ann Riley. "Coach Fortner has done a great job and it's a senior-laden team. They play well together and they understand what their strengths are."
Tammara Marion led the Ladyjacks in scoring with 19 points while Whitney Cormier picked up a team-high six rebounds. As a team, Stephen F. Austin shot 37 percent from the field and 64 percent from the line.
The undefeated Tigers return to action Jan. 8 at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., against the South Carolina Gamecocks (7-5). Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CST.