 Brandy Montgomery scored 12 points for Auburn against Tennessee (Associated Press photo) | ||||||||||||||||
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By Phillip Marshall
AuburnTigers.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -No. 10 Tennessee took command early and didn't let up Thursday night, flattening Auburn's women's basketball team 93-63 at Thompson-Boling Arena. Auburn's losing streak in Knoxville stretched to 16 games.
After two Megan Tucker free throws cut Tennessee's lead to 13-11 with 14:46 left in the first half, the Lady Vols went on a 19-0 run to take a 32-11 lead with 8:17 left. Auburn got no closer than 15 after that.
Auburn fell to 14-12 overall and 5-8 in the Southeastern Conference. Tennessee improved to 21-5 and 10-3.
Tennessee led by as many as 38 points before clearing its bench.
Senior Tyrese Tanner had 15 points and six rebounds for Auburn. Sophomore Tra'Cee Tanner had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Brandy Montgomery had 12 and senior Hasina Muhammad 10. It was nowhere near enough.
Meighan Simmons scored 26 points, 22 in the first half, to lead Tennessee.
Auburn coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said her freshman-laden team was overmatched.
"I don't think it was an effort problem tonight," Williams-Flournoy said. "I think they got a little scared. I think they were a little intimidated. You can't play afraid. I thought Tyrese came out in the second half and tried to explain that to them. You have to play harder. It's hard for freshmen to understand."
Auburn, loser of two straight, returns home Sunday to play Georgia.
"We have to regroup and get ready," Williams-Flournoy said.
Phillip Marshall is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow Marshall on Twitter: Follow @PMarshOnAU