Defense leads Auburn women to win at Savannah State

Nov. 22, 2015

Box Score

Tanner
Auburn
Auburn
(3-1)
Game 4
1
2
3
4
F
Auburn
19
17
10
16
62
Savannah State
12
7
11
10
40
20140110_savannahstate.jpg
Savannah St.
(1-1)
Feature Final Statistics | 2015-16 Schedule | Auburn Tickets

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Brandy Montgomery scored 16 points, and Auburn forced Savannah State into 25 turnovers en route to a 62-40 women's basketball victory Sunday afternoon on the road.

Auburn (3-1) shot 42.9 percent from the floor and dominated the boards, out-rebounding Savannah State (1-1) 38-24. Turnovers were the name of the game, however, as the teams combined to turn the ball over 47 times on the day.

"It got a little raggedy on the offensive end," Auburn head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said. "We stood out there and took too many 3s. We could have used the clock a little more, moved the ball around a little more. Savannah State is a very good team in the MEAC. They're going to finish strong. And pressure defense, that's what they do."

Montgomery's 16-point night gives her three games in double-digits so far this season. She also pulled down four rebounds and had two assists and two steals.

Senior Tra'Cee Tanner and freshman Jonika Garvin scored 12 points apiece. Tanner also pulled down a game-high eight rebounds to go along with two assists, two blocks and a steal. Garvin's scoring marked a career-high, and she shared the team lead with Tanner with two blocks.

Auburn never trailed in the game, although a cold spell early in the third quarter allowed Savannah State to pull back within as few as 12 points. But SSU would get no closer, and a flurry in the fourth quarter - Garvin scored seven of Auburn's final 11 points over the last six minutes - helped Auburn pull away for the 24-point win.

After the score was tied 12-12 with just under three minutes to play in the first quarter, Auburn finished the opening period on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a 3-pointer from McKay with five seconds left, to take a 19-12 lead after one. Auburn then held Savannah State to just seven points in the second quarter to take a 36-19 halftime lead.

Savannah State was led by Kenyata Hendrix with 15 points.

The Tigers will be back in action Friday and Saturday at the San Juan Shootout in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Auburn will face Boise State on Friday and Minnesota on Saturday; both games will tip at 6 p.m. CT.

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