Feb. 3, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Auburn women's basketball team dropped 13-9 on the season, 6-3 in Southeastern Conference play, after a 69-38 loss at #16/18 Kentucky Thursday night. The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead, but Auburn was able to cut it to single digits before Kentucky made its push for the win.
Sophomore Blanche Alverson was the only Tiger to finish in double figures, leading the team with 12 points. Senior Jordan Greenleaf pulled down a team-high five rebounds along with her six points.
The Wildcats forced 28 Auburn turnovers, converting them into 25 points on the other end. Kentucky also won the rebounding battle, 44-27, including 18 offensive rebounds that turned into 18 second-chance points.
"Kentucky's pressure was outstanding tonight, I give them credit," said Auburn head coach Nell Fortner. "They had great defense and we had a hard time handling it. They are better than they were last year, they have more depth and can put five players on the floor that can shoot the ball.
"Kentucky will spread you out offensively, spread you out defensively and then knock down the shot."
Kentucky jumped out to a quick 19-4 lead less than 10 minutes into the first half, capitalizing on eight Auburn turnovers. The Tigers did not back down, though, and came back with a 12-5 run of their own to cut the lead to eight with 5:01 left in the half.
It was a pair of 3-pointers from Alverson and Courtney Strain, who finished the game with seven points, that cut the lead to single digits and forced a Kentucky timeout.
The Wildcats came out of the timeout with a vengeance, scoring three of the next four baskets to extend their lead. Kentucky continued rolling, taking a 37-20 lead into halftime.
Auburn came out of the half with another run, scoring the first three field goals to cut the lead to 10 at 37-27 with 17:13 left in the game. But, a 15-2 Kentucky run put another comeback out of reach as the Wildcats took a 52-29 lead with 11:12 left in the game. Kentucky would out-score Auburn 32-18 in the second half to take the 69-38 win.
Brittany Henderson led the Wildcats with 13 points, followed by Keyla Snowden with 11 and Victoria Dunlap with 10. Dunlap notched a double-double as she also pulled down 10 rebounds, and led her team in assists with a game-high five.
Auburn was held to 32.7 percent shooting, 37.5 percent from 3-point range. The Wildcats won despite shooting just 38.7 percent from the field, but was 50.0 percent from 3-point land and hit 12-of-19 free throws. The Tigers went to the free throw line just four times, connecting on three.
Auburn will return to action at 2 p.m., Sunday against Mississippi State at Auburn Arena. The game is Auburn's WBCA "Pink Zone" Breast Cancer Awareness Day presented by Alfa Insurance. All fans are encouraged to wear pink and Alfa Insurance will donate $1 for each of the first 5,000 fans in attendance to benefit the Joy to Life Foundation.
Follow Auburn women's basketball on Twitter at twitter.com/AuburnWBB.