Auburn came into tonights matchup with the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs 2-0 and were able to stay undefeated in a great showing on both ends of the floor. With five different Tiger’s scoring double digit points and eight different players recording at least one steal.
When asked about the defensive showing from Auburn, head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy mentioned that “[hustle] plays are the type of plays that are going to win us games.” Coach Flo also spoke about her advice to players regarding shooting outside the paint, emphasizing to her players to “pull up and take your shots.” This advice seemed to stick, because on both ends of the floor the Tigers were fantastic, scoring 97 points on a 53.4% field goal percentage, while also grabbing 16 steals and forcing 24 turnovers total.
Unique Thompson led the way for the Tigers scoring 21 points while also grabbing 12 boards and 4 steals. Honesty Scott-Grayson followed behind with 14 points and 5 steals of her own. Scott-Grayson is getting into a groove after not being able to play last year, saying how it was “pretty difficult not playing last year,” with Coach Flo saying how they “got tired of [Honesty] kicking [their] butt on the scout team last year.”
Scott-Grayson and JuCo transfer Kiyae’ Patton agreed on the grittiness of the Auburn team, both emphasizing how this team is more defensive minded than they seem. Patton went on to say how “we know defense is the way to stay on the floor” and she showed it with her defensive hustle tonight. Patton also added 14 points off the bench, leading the Tigers second team in scoring.
Auburn was able to dominate tonight against Gardner-Webb, winning by 36 points after taking an early lead and never looking back. Auburn will look to continue to play strong on both sides of the floor and stay undefeated this Saturday against the Houston Cougars in the Fertitta Center.
