Dec. 28, 2010
AUBURN -- Five Tigers scored in double figures, led by senior Jordan Greenleaf with 15, as the Auburn women's basketball team (6-6) evened up its record with an 84-45 thrashing of in-state rival Alabama A&M (4-6). The game was the first of a two-game, in-state homestand that concludes with Jacksonville State at 6 p.m., Thursday.
Auburn's defense set the tone for the game as the Tigers forced 29 Bulldog turnovers, turning them into a season-high 39 points off turnovers on the other end. Morgan Jennings led the defensive effort with a career-high four steals as Auburn snatched a season-high 18 in the game.
"I thought it was a really great defensive effort," said Auburn head coach Nell Fortner. "I felt like the press, at the beginning of the game, really set the tempo for the game. We created turnovers, we turned them into offense, and it kind of got us going."
The Tigers jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first six minutes of the game and never looked back, leading by as many as 25 points in the first half. Auburn continued to roll in the second half, gradually building to the 39-point victory - its largest margin of victory this season.
"We wanted to not lose our intensity, and we didn't want to make mistakes," said Fortner. "As far as our aggressiveness defensively and our aggressiveness offensively, pushing the ball and really feeling wings, it was very good today."
Greenleaf led the team with her 15 points, followed by sophomore Blanche Alverson with 14 Alli Smalley and Chantel Hilliard with 12. Morgan Toles rounded out the quintet with 11 points. It marked the first time for five Auburn players to score in double figures since six Tigers did against Kentucky on Feb. 12, 2009.
Toles and Alverson pulled down game-highs of seven rebounds each, followed by Jassany Williams with six and Hilliard, Smalley and Greenleaf with five each.
Toles also dished out a game-high six assists, giving her at least five assists in five of the last six games.
"When you push the ball and you have Morgan Toles distributing like she was, I mean six assists and no turnovers is a nice night for her," said Fortner. "As long as you're running those wings, you have an opportunity to score and score quick."
Gabrielle Williams came off the bench to lead Alabama A&M with 14 points, followed by Brittany Strickland and Whiquitta Tobar with eight each. Tobar also pulled down a team-high five rebounds along with three assists and three steals.
The Tigers shot 47.1 percent from the field and were 80.0 percent from the free throw line, knocking down 16 of 20 attempts. Auburn dominated the boards, out-rebounding Alabama A&M 49-31 while also taking care of business in the paint, scoring 44 points in the paint compared to the Bulldogs' 24.
Alabama A&M was held to 28.8 percent from the field, including a 0-for-7 mark from 3-point range. The Bulldogs hit 71.4 percent of their free throws.
Auburn will return to action at 6 p.m., Thursday at Auburn Arena against in-state opponent Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks have a 4-8 record after defeating Kennesaw State, 77-56, Tuesday.
Follow Auburn women's basketball on Twitter at twitter.com/AuburnWBB.