AUBURN, Ala. – Fans can get their first look at the 2021-22 Auburn women's basketball team as the Tigers will host Miles College for an exhibition game Thursday night at Auburn Arena. Tip is set for 7 p.m. CT, and admission is free.
This will be the only exhibition of the preseason as the Tigers will officially open the Johnnie Harris era next Thursday, Nov. 11, when Auburn hosts Georgia Southern.
The Tigers welcome back three starters and nine letterwinners from last season and add several newcomers who will bring a spark to the lineup. Redshirt junior Honesty Scott-Grayson is the Tigers' leading returning scorer; she averaged 14.5 points per game last year but upped that total to 16.7 in SEC play. Redshirt senior Kiyae' White, junior Annie Hughes and sophomore Aicha Coulibaly are all projected to be among the Tigers' first five Thursday night, along with freshman Mar'Shaun Bostic.
Miles College went 9-12 in an abbreviated 2020-21 season. Nadia Cathey is the Lady Bears' leading returning scorer; she averaged 9.6 points/game last year.
Season tickets are still available for the 2021-22 season for as low as $25 each. For more information, call 855-282-2010 or visit AUBTix.com.
ON THE AIR
›› Brit Bowen and Larry DiChiara will call the action on WQSI 93.9 FM and online at AuburnTigers.com and the official Auburn Tigers mobile app; airtime is 6:45 p.m. CT.
›› There is no TV or live video for Thursday's exhibition.
AN AUBURN WIN WOULD...
›› Improve the Tigers to 17-9 all-time in exhibition games.
AUBURN-MILES SERIES
›› This is the first meeting - regular-season or exhibition - between Auburn and Miles. This is the first in-state opponent Auburn has faced in an exhibition game since hosting Tuskegee in 2006.
SCOUTING MILES
›› Miles finished 9-12 overall and went 9-8 against SIAC opponents in 2021.
›› The Lady Bears were picked to finish second in the SIAC Eastern Division in 2021-22.
›› Nadia Cathey is Miles' leading returning scorer; she averaged 9.6 points/game in 2021.
SCOUTING AUBURN
›› Auburn returns 3 starters and 9 letterwinners from its 2020-21 team that finished 5-19 overall, 0-15 in SEC play.
›› Redshirt junior Honesty Scott-Grayson is the Tigers' leading returner in most statistical categories: scoring (14.5 ppg), rebounding (4.1 rpg), assists (1.7 apg), steals (2.1 spg) and shooting (.406 FG/.301 3FG/.761 FT).
›› Junior Sania Wells and sophomore Aicha Coulibaly are expected to have a major impact on the Tigers in 2021-22. Wells will return to her natural position of point guard; she averaged 3.3 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists last season. Coulibaly averaged 5.1 points and 3.1 rebounds as a freshman.
›› Junior Annie Hughes and redshirt senior Kiyae' White look to be a part of the Tigers' regular rotation as well. Hughes is the only Tiger to appear in every game each of the last two seasons; she averaged 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 20-21. White missed all but one game last season, but as a redshirt sophomore in 2019-20, she averaged 4.0 points and 4.8 rebounds.
›› The Tigers will be without sophomore Romi Levy for the 2021-22 season after she suffered a torn ACL in practice just before the start of the season.
›› Transfers Xaria Wiggins and Paris Mullins look to provide depth off the bench for the Tigers, along with freshmen Amoura Graves and Mar'Shaun Bostic.
THE HARRIS ERA BEGINS
›› Johnnie Harris was named Auburn's seventh women's basketball coach on April 3, 2021.
›› Harris came to Auburn after spending the last 17 years at Arkansas, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Texas, helping those teams to three Final Fours and a national championship.
›› She helped lead Mississippi State to a 221-62 record and five NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the national championship game in 2017 and 2018. During that time, MSU also won the program's first SEC regular-season and tournament titles. She also helped lead Texas to the 2021 Elite Eight in her only season on staff in Austin.
›› Known as a tireless recruiter, she played a key role in inking some of the top signing classes in MSU history. The fall of 2018 saw MSU sign the nation's 6th-ranked class, the best in program history.
›› Joining Harris on the Plains are associate head coach Bob Starkey and assistant coaches Damitra Buchanan and Ketara Chapel. Starkey is a veteran of 30+ years in the SEC, winning championships at LSU and Texas A&M. Buchanan and Chapel played for Harris at Texas A&M and Mississippi State, respectively, and are among the nation's top recruiters.
AUBURN IN EXHIBITIONS
›› This will be the first preseason exhibition game for Auburn women's basketball in 10 years. The last was an 85-25 win over Georgia College on Oct. 20, 2011.
›› Auburn's last exhibition games of any kind were part of the Tigers' Italy Tour in 2019; a loss to the Netherlands National Team and two losses to a team of European All-Stars.
›› Auburn has won its last six exhibition games against collegiate opponents.
Auburn women host Miles for Thursday exhibition
