NORFOLK, Va. – Aicha Coulibaly and Honesty Scott-Grayson picked up their first career double-doubles, but Auburn could not hold onto a halftime lead in a 57-44 loss at Old Dominion Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers (0-2) led for most of the first half but went cold early in the second, and the Monarchs (2-0) took advantage, outscoring Auburn 22-8 in the third quarter to take a lead they would not relinquish. Foul trouble plagued the Tigers again with four players finishing with four fouls.
"We missed a lot of wide-open layups," Auburn head coach Johnnie Harris said. "There were times when we forced shots. But when we let our offensive work, we got to the rim. Whenever you're missing layups like that, it's hard to beat anybody, especially on the road. I'm still working with this team on finishing, making smart decisions. That's toughness, that's discipline to be able to do that, and that's what I'm working with them on."
"Our point guard got into foul trouble, and then we couldn't get anything going offensively. I gambled putting her back in in the second quarter, but she got another foul and I had to hold her out early in the third. And that was the difference in the ballgame."
Auburn shot 25.4 percent (15-59) from the field and hit just 1-of-14 3-point attempts (7.1%). Free-throw shooting was improved from game one as Auburn was 13-of-19 at the stripe. ODU out-rebounded Auburn 48-43, turning 13 offensive rebounds into 13 second-chance points with nine of those coming in the second half.
Coulibaly led Auburn with 17 points and 14 rebounds, both career-highs, for her first collegiate double-double. Scott-Grayson finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds for the first double-double of her career as well.
Sania Wells overcame early foul trouble to post 11 points on the night, and Adaora Onwumelu made her collegiate debut with two points and five rebounds.
Auburn led 25-23 at the end of an ugly first half for both teams. The Tigers took advantage of free-throw opportunities, hitting 9-of-10 in the first half, which helped overcome 25-percent shooting. Strong rebounding from Coulibaly, Scott-Grayson and Onwumelu kept ODU from garnering second-chance opportunities.
But foul trouble kept Auburn on its heels coming out of halftime as Wells had three at the break and three others had two. Even so, Auburn held the lead for more than 16 minutes in the opening half.
ODU went on a 17-5 run over the final 7:33 of the third quarter to take a 44-33 lead to the final period. Auburn was unable to gain any more ground as shots continued to not fall in the fourth.
Iggy Allen led ODU with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Ajah Wayne added 19 points and 11 boards.
The Tigers are back inside Auburn Arena Tuesday night, Nov. 16, as they host Alabama State. Game time is 7 p.m. CT.
Tigers start strong, falter late in loss at Old Dominion
