AUBURN, Ala. – Daisa Alexander and Brooke Moore both scored 19 points, but Auburn fell to No. 20 Arkansas 86-70 Sunday in the home SEC opener at Auburn Arena.
The Tigers (6-7, 0-2 SEC) saw the Razorbacks (13-2, 2-0) jump out to a big early lead and never look back as Auburn was unable to slow down the SEC's top-scoring team.
"We knew Arkansas was a very good offensive team and could score the basketball and shoot the 3 extremely well," Auburn head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said. "Our defense was definitely not up to par, and we know that. We've got to be a better defensive team."
Alexander and Moore shared the team lead with 19 points each and were Auburn's only two players in double-figures. Junior Unique Thompson saw her 13-game double-double streak come to an end as she pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds but was held to six points. Thompson also led the Tigers with six assists. Erin Howard had seven rebounds, and Robyn Benton added six points and a team-leading four steals.
Auburn shot 53 percent in the second half and finished at 41 percent for the game (27-66), but Arkansas was lights-out early and finished at 51.6 percent from the field (32-62). The Razorbacks also hit 12 3-pointers on 27 attempts and scored 24 points off 19 Auburn turnovers.
The Tigers jumped out to a quick lead, hitting 3-of-4 3-pointers to start the game with a 9-2 advantage. But Auburn would make just two of its next 14 3-point shots and score just three points the rest of the quarter. Meanwhile, the Razorbacks hit 5-of-6 from long range in the first quarter alone to take a 26-12 lead after one. Arkansas cooled a bit in the second quarter, but Auburn was unable to take advantage as the Razorbacks led 44-27 at the half.
Arkansas continued its hot shooting to the tune of 63.2 percent in the third quarter, scoring 28 points in the period to take a 72-47 lead after three. Auburn was able to force some turnovers in the fourth quarter and ended the game on an 11-0 run.
Amber Ramirez led Arkansas with 25 points, hitting seven 3-pointers. Chelsea Dungee added 19 points.
The Tigers continue a three-game home stand Thursday night as Florida visits Auburn Arena. Game time is 6 p.m. CT.