Auburn women set for big test vs. #24 Virginia Tech

Dec. 16, 2016

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AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Auburn will face one of its toughest tests of the non-conference season Sunday afternoon as undefeated and 24th-ranked Virginia Tech visits Auburn Arena for a 4 p.m. contest.

The game is part of a doubleheader with the Auburn men's team, who faces Mercer at noon. Men's basketball parking regulations apply; see below for more information. Tickets for the men's game will be good for admission to both games; tickets for the women's game only will go on sale late in the second half of the men's game.

Auburn (8-2) looks to remain perfect at home this season and knock off a nationally ranked, unbeaten opponent for the second time in the calendar year 2016. The Tigers are 3-0 at home this season with wins over Troy, Indiana and Savannah State already in the non-conference schedule. With Virginia Tech (10-0) coming in as one of 11 unbeaten teams remaining in the country, Auburn will look to replicate its victory over then-No. 7 Kentucky from January of last season when the Tigers knocked the Wildcats from the ranks of the unbeaten in a 66-61 win.

After her career-best 30-point performance at Louisiana Tech Wednesday night, senior Katie Frerking shares the team scoring lead with senior Brandy Montgomery as both players are averaging 15.8 points per game. Led by Frerking and Montgomery, the Tigers have found an offensive spark over the last few games, topping the 70-point mark in three of the last four outings.

Defense remains the strong suit, however, as Auburn has held nine of its 10 opponents below their season scoring average. The Tigers rank second in the nation in turnovers forced (25.5/game) and third in steals (14.0/game).

Virginia Tech, however, is among the nation's best at taking care of the ball. The Hokies are third nationally in fewest turnovers, committing just 11.2 per game. The Hokies outscore their opposition by 20.1 points per game, which ranks 23rd in the nation.

Auburn and Virginia Tech last met in 2007 with the Tigers claiming an 81-73 victory in Blacksburg in the second round of the WNIT. The Tigers are 5-1 all-time against the Hokies.

Andy Burcham will have the radio broadcast on WTGZ 93.9 FM beginning at 3:45 p.m. CT. Fans can also listen live via TuneIn Radio or the above link to AuburnTigers.com. SEC Network has the TV broadcast with Roy Philpott and Debbie Antonelli calling the action; fans can watch online via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN app on mobile devices.

Promotions

- TicketBack - Fans that attend the Auburn men's game vs. Mercer at noon may use that ticket for admission to the women's game
- $1 General Admission Tickets - Just a buck to watch the biggest non-conference home game of the season!
- Santa and Aubie Claus in attendance
- Ice Cream Scooper Giveaway - Free to first 1,000 fans
- Camper Reunion - All individual campers receive free general admission; check in at scholarship entrance; pizza party in practice gym
- Kids Club Day - Free admission and free Aubie bobblehead with Kids Club ID

Parking and Ticket Information

With Sunday's game being part of a doubleheader with the Auburn men's team, men's basketball parking regulations are in effect. Fans must have an S Lot pass to park in the main arena lot off S. Donahue Drive. Free public parking is available in the East Coliseum lot, Stadium Deck (1st/2nd levels only), Village, and others within close proximity to Auburn Arena. For more parking information and a full list of available lots, click here.

Tiger Transit will run a free shuttle from the Facilities lot (1161 Samford Ave.) and the Stadium Deck. The shuttle will begin running at 9:30 a.m. and will continue throughout both games. Accessible parking is in the CDV lot, and it will open with cart service beginning at 9:30 a.m. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for the men's game and will remain open for admission throughout both games.

The arena will not be cleared between games. Fans who attend the men's game may stay in the arena to watch the women's game. Tickets to the women's game only will go on sale late in the second half of the men's game.

Auburn Quick Hitters

- As of Dec. 16, Auburn ranks second in the nation in turnovers forced (25.5/game), is third in the nation in steals (14.0/game), and sixth in turnover margin (+9.0)
- This is the seventh meeting between Auburn and Virginia Tech, the first since 2007
- Auburn and Virginia Tech have not met in the regular season since the 1986-87 season
- Auburn is 5-1 all-time against Virginia Tech, 1-0 in games played in Auburn
- The Tigers defeated the Hokies 81-73 in the last meeting, which came in the second round of the 2007 WNIT
- Virginia Tech is the first ranked non-conference opponent to visit Auburn Arena since 2011 (#22 Purdue)
- Auburn is 43-21 against current members of the ACC
- Auburn has held six of 10 opponents at least 10 points below their season scoring average
- The last undefeated, nationally ranked team to visit Auburn Arena was No. 7 Kentucky on Jan. 3, 2016; Auburn upset the WIldcats 66-61
- Six of Auburn's 10 opponents have been held to a season-low scoring total
- Auburn was ranked No. 23 in the Week 4 AP Top 25; it was the first ranking for Auburn since 2009
- The Tigers have received votes in every AP poll this season
- Auburn is 6-0 this season and 34-6 under Coach Flo when forcing 25+ turnovers; Auburn forced 38 vs. Troy, 27 at North Carolina A&T, 30 at East Carolina, 27 vs. Ball State, 30 vs. Marist; 28 vs. Savannah State
- Auburn forced 20 turnovers vs. Indiana but turned that into 33 points
- Auburn trailed Indiana by 17 points in the fourth quarter before mounting a comeback for a 71-67 win on Nov. 27
- Auburn's 32 fourth-quarter points vs. Indiana were the most in a single period since women's basketball went to a four-quarter game in 2015-16
- Brandy Montgomery and Katie Frerking are tied for the Auburn scoring lead with 15.8 points/game; 8th in SEC
- Frerking also leads Auburn in rebounds (8.4), assists (3.3) and steals (3.1)
- Frerking scored a career-high 30 points and had 11 rebounds at Louisiana Tech (12/14)
- Frerking has double-doubles in four games this year; she had two in her career entering the season
- Frerking leads the SEC and ranks in the nation's top 20 with 3.1 steals per game
- Frerking had a career-high 7 steals in the win at N.C. A&T, then matched that with 7 vs. Indiana
- Brandy Montgomery scored 28 points in the comeback win over Indiana, including 16 in the fourth quarter and 10 straight over a 2-minute stretch to tie the game
- Auburn's 32-point win over North Carolina A&T was its largest margin of victory in a road game since Nov. 11, 2011 at Mercer (34 points; 77-43)
- Jessica Jones set career-highs in rebounds (8), steals (5) and blocks (4) in the first two games; she bettered her rebounding high with 9 against Marist and matched her blocks high with 4 vs. West Virginia
- Auburn is 31-2 in home non-conference games under Terri Williams-Flournoy and 40-6 in all non-conference games at Auburn Arena

Last Time Out

ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Senior Katie Frerking scored a career-high 30 points and picked up her fourth double-double of the season to lead the Auburn women's basketball team to a 76-66 win at Louisiana Tech Wednesday night.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º The Tigers (8-2) overcame a sloppy start to put up their season-high scoring figure and overcame late foul trouble to hold off a fourth-quarter run by the Lady Techsters (5-4).
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Frerking's 30-point, 11-rebound effort marked her sixth career double-double and fourth of the season. It was Auburn's first 30-point game since Brandy Montgomery scored 30 against Alabama in the 2015 regular-season finale. Frerking was 9-of-14 from the floor, 5-of-9 from 3-point range and was a perfect 7-for-7 at the free-throw line while playing a season-high 37 minutes.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Auburn shot 42 percent for the game (24-57) and made a season-high nine 3-pointers, five of them from Frerking. The Tigers were also 19-of-24 at the free-throw line and outrebounded Louisiana Tech 38-27.

Noteworthy

AUBURN-VIRGINIA TECH SERIES
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º This is the seventh meeting between Auburn and Virginia Tech and the first since 2007. Auburn is 5-1 against the Hokies and won the only previous meeting in Auburn.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º This is the first meeting since the 2007 WNIT when the Tigers defeated the Hokies 81-73 in Blacksburg.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º The last three meetings between the teams have come in the postseason. This is the first regular-season meeting since 1987.

SCOUTING VIRGINIA TECH
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Virginia Tech is a perfect 10-0 to start the season and ranked in both national polls. The Hokies are one of 11 unbeaten teams left in the country.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º The Hokies are outscoring their opposition by an average of 20.1 points per game, which ranks 23rd nationally. Virginia Tech is one of the nation's top teams at limiting turnovers, ranking third nationally with just 11.2 turnovers per game.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Sophomore guard Chanette Hicks is the Hokies' leader in three major categories: points (16.8), assists (4.5) and steals (4.7). Hicks ranks second in the nation in steals per game.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Senior forward Sidney Cook averages 14.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game and has posted five double-doubles this season.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Virginia Tech finished 18-14 last season and advanced to the second round of the WNIT. The Hokies are in their first season under head coach Kenny Brooks.

LAST MEETING: AUBURN 81, VT 73 (3/22/07)
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º DeWanna Bonner scored 27 points to lead Auburn to an 81-73 win over Virginia Tech in the second round of the 2007 WNIT in Blacksburg, Va.,
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Bonner also grabbed nine rebounds. Tamela McCorvey recorded 17 points, while Whitney Boddie had 25 points and seven assists.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Auburn shot 54.7 percent from the field (29-of-53), including 80 percent from three-point range (4-of-5).

SCOUTING AUBURN
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Auburn is 8-2 to open the 2016-17 season. The Tigers' only blemishes on the schedule are a 56-52 loss to then-No. 19 West Virginia in the Savannah Invitational championship game, and a 71-66 loss at Kansas State in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Through 10 games, seniors Brandy Montgomery and Katie Frerking share the team scoring lead with 15.8 points per game.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Montgomery averaged 14.0 points per game as a junior and was named to the preseason All-SEC Second Team by the league's coaches. She scored a season-high 28 points - 16 in the fourth quarter - to lead Auburn's comeback from a 17-point deficit against Indiana on Nov. 27.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Frerking leads the SEC and ranks 22nd in the nation in steals with 3.1 per game. Frerking has posted four double-doubles this season and leads the team with 8.4 rebounds/game, which ranks eighth in the SEC.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Junior forward Jessica Jones has been a force defensively for the Tigers, posting a career-high four blocks twice already this year and pulling down a career-high 9 rebounds vs. Marist. She leads the Tigers in blocks with 1.4/game. She also had five steals in the opener vs. Troy.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Sophomore point guard Janiah McKay and junior forward Jazmine Jones are the Tigers' other two returning starters. McKay scored a career-high 24 points to lead Auburn to an NCAA first-round win over St. John's last season. She contributed a career-high eight assists in a Dec. 11 win over Savannah State. Jones started all 33 games as a sophomore and had one of the best shooting percentages on the team, shooting 51.5% from the floor.
ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬ºÃƒÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬º Pressure defense remains a staple of Coach Flo's strategy as the Tigers forced an average of 20.0 turnovers per game in her first four seasons. Auburn is averaging 25.5 opponent turnovers through nine games (1st in SEC; 2nd in nation) and has forced 27 or more in six of 10 contests.

Looking Ahead

The Tigers travel to New Orleans, La., to play in the Tulane Classic Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 21-22. Auburn faces Drake in the first game at 3 p.m. Wednesday, then will take on either Tulane or Eastern Washington Thursday.