AUBURN, Ala. – The second-longest running rivalry in SEC women's basketball is renewed Thursday night when Auburn travels to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama. Tip is set for 7 p.m. CT at Coleman Coliseum.
The Tigers (13-2, 1-1 SEC) are looking to build off a 64-56 win at Florida on Sunday afternoon. In that game, Auburn overcame a sluggish first half but turned up the defensive pressure in the second half and pulled away late to earn an SEC road victory. Daisa Alexander led Auburn with 22 points, and Janiah McKay, playing in her hometown, finished with 16 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Auburn's defensive pressure has been a key over the last three-plus weeks of the season as the Tigers have forced at least 20 turnovers in each of the last seven games. In five of those seven games, opponent turnovers have turned into 30 or more points for Auburn, including a season-high 38 in an overtime win over North Carolina on Dec. 20. In the second half of Sunday's win, Auburn converted 13 Florida turnovers into 25 points.
Alabama (9-6, 1-1 SEC) also has a win over Florida to its credit so far in SEC play. The Crimson Tide dropped a tight contest at No. 23 South Carolina in their last game.
The teams split two meetings last season with each team winning on their home floor. Auburn has won eight of the last 11 meetings with Alabama, dating back to 2013.
Andy Burcham will be courtside with Brit Bowen in the studio for Thursday's radio broadcast; airtime is 6:45 p.m. CT on WTGZ 93.9 FM, AuburnTigers.com and the official Auburn Athletics app. Fans can also watch on SEC Network +, available via WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app.
QUICK HITS
• This is the 89th meeting between Auburn and Alabama in women's basketball, a series that dates back to 1972-73
• Auburn-Alabama is the second-most played women's basketball series in the SEC, behind only Ole Miss-Mississippi State
• Auburn leads the all-time series 50-38, but Alabama owns a 23-17 edge in games played in Tuscaloosa
• The teams split two meetings last season: Auburn won 69-60 at home and lost 70-60 on the road
• Auburn and Alabama have split the last four meetings, but Auburn has won 8 of the last 11
• Senior Janiah McKay passed Lori Monroe for 13th all-time in scoring at Auburn with 16 points at Florida; she now has 1,419 points
• McKay has averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists in six previous games vs. Alabama
• Sophomore Unique Thompson has recorded seven double-doubles in 15 games, including three straight against New Mexico, Iowa State and UL-Lafayette; she now has 14 in her career, tied for 9th in Auburn history
• Thompson averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds in two meetings with Alabama as a freshman last season
• Auburn has forced 20 or more turnovers in 12 of 15 games this season, including the last seven in a row
• Auburn leads the SEC and ranks 8th in the NCAA in steals per game (12.3)
• At 13-2, Auburn is off to its best start since the 2008-09 season, when the Tigers won their first 20 games en route to an SEC Championship
AN AUBURN WIN WOULD...
›› Be Auburn's ninth win in the last 12 meetings with Alabama.
›› Give Auburn a 2-1 start in SEC play for the second time in three years.
›› Improve Auburn's record to 6-1 in true road games this year.
UP NEXT
›› Auburn faces its toughest test of the season Monday, Jan. 14, when No. 7 Mississippi State visits Auburn Arena. Game time is 6 p.m. CT with the broadcast on SEC Network.
Rivalry renewed: Auburn women at Alabama Thursday
