Nov. 28, 2009
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Auburn (4-3) out-scored Florida A&M (3-2) in the second half, extending a four-point halftime lead to a 69-45 victory in the second game of the 2009 Seminole Classic, hosted by Florida State. Auburn senior KeKe Carrier tallied the team's first double-double of the season, scoring 17 points while pulling down 12 rebounds, to lead the Tigers against the Rattlers.
The game was Auburn's second in as many days after its 82-67 loss to host Florida State on Friday. Head coach Nell Fortner said the quick turnaround was a challenge for her team and she was happy about how they responded.
"I was really proud of how we bounced back from yesterday on a short turnaround," said Fortner. "That was a real physical, tiring ballgame last night and we came back very focused today. We knew the first half would be tough and tight, but I'm proud of how we started the second half and pulled away from them."
Auburn struggled from the field in the first half, knocking down only 12 of 30 attempts for 40.0 per cent. Carrier led the Tigers with 11 points, shooting 5-of-8 from the field.
Auburn scored the first 10 points of the game and extended it to a 14-point lead at 22-8 with 10:53 left to play in the opening period. Florida A&M rallied back to cut it to two in the final minute, but a Pascale West jumper with 25 seconds left game Auburn the 31-27 lead at halftime.
All nine Tigers scored in the game, led by Carrier and Smalley with 17 points each. Freshman Nicolle Thomas, fresh off last night's 27-point performance, added 10 points and three steals.
Auburn shot just 36.1 percent from the field in the game, connecting on 22 of 61 shot attempts. The Tigers also hit 54.3 percent from the charity stripe, making good on 19-of-35 attempts.
"You knew it was going to be a tough day because their legs were tired from yesterday and that effects your shot," said Fortner. "I thought we got a lot of good work in offensively on some things we needed to work on and got some good playing time for some kids, so it was a good day."
Jordan Greenleaf finished second on the team in rebounding, pulling down nine behind Carrier's 12. Along with the double-double, the eighth of Carrier's career, she also added a team-high three blocks.
"KeKe was a real big presence, she came back and stepped up in a big way," said Fortner. "We need her to do that all the time, we are looking for consistency from her to really embrace her role on this team and bring it every night."
Deidra Jones led Florida A&M with 16 points while Antonia Bennett and Christian Rateree added seven points each. Qiana Donald posted a team-high 12 rebounds.
The Tigers held the Rattlers to 26.9 shooting in the game and only six field goals in the second half. Auburn also out-rebounded Florida A&M, 56-42.
Auburn will remain on the road as the Tigers travel to Greensboro, N.C. to take on North Carolina A&T. The game is set for a 6 p.m. CT tipoff on Tuesday, Dec. 1 from the Corbett Sports Complex.