Dec. 31, 2010
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Auburn - Kenny Gabriel had 17 points and 12 rebounds and Earnest Ross added 14 points and nine boards as Auburn won its third straight game in a 63-45 victory over Grambling in Auburn Arena on Friday.
Auburn (6-7) held Grambling scoreless for 8:44 while scoring 22 consecutive points to take a 32-10 lead with five minutes left in the first half. Auburn then coasted into halftime with a 37-15 lead.
Auburn had its largest lead of the game at 44-18 three minutes into the second period, but Grambling (2-10) used a 13-3 run to close to within 51-37 with 6:13 to go. Grambling wouldn't get any closer the rest of the way.
"It's like I told the team," said Auburn head coach Tony Barbee. "I'm not worried about the Georgia Southerns and Gramblings of the world. That is not who I am trying to beat. We have to beat them because they are on our schedule. There are not too many Gramblings and Georgia Southerns left on our schedule. In fact, I do not see any.
"We cannot have a high intensity level for only half the game. You cannot do that if you are going to take the next step with this team, and the next step with this program. It is about putting 40 minutes of unbelievable passion and desire together. We have to learn, and we have to grow."
Rob Chubb added 10 points for Auburn. Raschard Boatner, who came into the game averaging 4.4 points, led Grambling with 21 points on 4-of-9 shooting from 3-point range.
"I just came out wanting to play ball because that is what this team needs me to do." said Gabriel. "I have not been able to get going like that in a long time. It carried over from the other game."
Auburn's defense held Grambling to 32.7 percent shooting from the field and 29.4 percent shooting from 3-point range (5-of-17) while blocking a season-high tying eight shots. Auburn shot 36.2 percent from the field and 3-of-14 from behind the arc but was 18-of-25 (.720) from the free throw line.
Auburn improved to 19-0 all-time against teams from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Auburn closes out non-conference play as it hosts Florida State (11-3, 1-0 ACC) on Monday at 7 pm Central in Auburn Arena. The game will be televised by FSN.