Nov. 12, 2010
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery 
AUBURN - Senior Jordan Greenleaf led the Tigers with a double-double, scoring 16 points with 12 rebounds, as the Auburn women's basketball team (1-0) opened the new Auburn Arena with a 79-61 win over Mercer (0-1).
Senior Alli Smalley also scored 16 points with sophomore Blanche Alverson adding 11.
"I thought it was a typical first game," said Auburn head coach Nell Fortner. "We had some nice things that happened, but we could not sustain anything. That's typical of a first game. We're trying to get the feel for our chemistry on the floor. Defensively, we need more pressure on the shooters.
Playing in front of a crowd for the first time in the Auburn Arena, Fortner was pleased with the crowd of nearly 2,500 that came out for the front end of a doubleheader with the Auburn men's team.
"I was really pleased with the crowd tonight," said Fortner. "They made a lot of noise. I hope we can continue to draw more students and fill up the student section as the season goes on."
Alverson scored the first Auburn basket in the new facility, draining a three-pointer at the 19:04 mark. Her nine first-half points were a team-high as the Tigers took a 40-20 lead into the locker room.
The Tigers saw their largest lead of the day at the 15:38 mark of the second half as back-to-back jumpers from Greenleaf forced a Mercer timeout. The Bears' freshman Briana Williams then opened up on a hot streak to close the second half, scoring 20 points while shooting 7-of-10 from the field. She finished with a game-high 23 points.
As a team, the Bears shot 42.4 percent from the field in the second half, nearly doubling their first half average of 24.1.
Williams' final 3-pointer came at the 5:48 mark as the Bears cut to a 10-point deficit. Auburn out-scored Mercer 15-7 to close out the game, led by eight points from Greenleaf down the stretch.
"It gave us a chance to look at the things we need to work on," said Greenleaf. "We can go into practice after watching film and find the things to get better at. We are always trying to get better every day."
All 12 active Tigers saw action and scored in the game with the freshman class combining for 19 points and 11 rebounds. Jassany Williams led the newcomers with nine points and six boards in 18 minutes of action. The Davie, Fla., native also led the Tigers in blocks with two.
The Tigers shot 28-of-72 from the field, 17-of-27 from the line and 6-of-20 from three-point land. Auburn also out-rebounded the Bears, 52-41. Mercer finished 21-of-62 from the field, 10-of-17 from the charity stripe and nine-of-23 from behind the arc.
Auburn used its defense to spark its offense, scoring 27 points off turnovers. The Tigers tallied 15 steals and six blocks, forcing 19 Mercer turnovers.
Williams led the Bears in scoring with 23 points while Alex Phillips and Kendra Grant led the team in rebounding with eight each.
Auburn will return to action at 6 p.m., Monday with a matchup against 14th-ranked Florida State (1-0). The Seminoles downed Alabama State, 89-39, Friday in their season opener.
"Firsts" in the Auburn Arena
First game - Auburn v. Mercer, November 12, 2010 - Auburn def. Mercer 79-61
First point scored - Sharnea Boykin, Mercer (19:13 1st)
First made field goal - Sharnea Boykin, Mercer (19:13 1st)
First field goal attempt - Blanche Alverson, Auburn (19:43 1st)
First made three-pointer - Blanche Alverson, Auburn (19:04 1st)
First three-point attempt - Blanche Alverson, Auburn (19:43 1st)
First made free throw - Parrisha Simmons, Auburn (17:58 1st)
First free throw attempt - Parrisha Simmons, Auburn (17:58 1st)
First assist - Morgan Toles, Auburn (19:04 1st)
First steal - Parrisha Simmons, Auburn (18:00 1st)
First blocked shot - Alli Smalley, Auburn (7:11 1st)
First rebound - Sharmesia Smith, Mercer (19:43 1st)
First foul - Sharnea Boykin, Mercer (17:58 1st)
First turnover - Sharnea Boykin, Mercer (18:01 1st)