In the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, Auburn faced a tough challenge against LSU, ultimately falling short in a 78-48 loss on Friday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. From the onset, LSU's dominance was evident as they surged ahead early, leaving Auburn struggling to recover throughout the game.
"Tonight was tough... They jumped on us. We turned the ball over and they got going in transition," Auburn head coach Jonnie Harris said.
Despite the setback, Harris expressed confidence in his team's resilience, emphasizing their ability to bounce back from adversity. "This team has been resilient... I believe they will (again). They're a great group of players."
A notable highlight for Auburn was McKenna Eddings' stellar performance, as she led the team with a career-high 15 points, including three successful 3-pointers. Additionally, JaMya Mingo-Young and Sydney Shaw contributed eight points each to the team's effort.
However, LSU's prowess, particularly at the free-throw line, proved decisive in their victory. The Tigers from Baton Rogue capitalized on free throw opportunities, converting 27-of-31 attempts, while Auburn only managed four successful free throws out of six attempts. Furthermore, LSU's effective shooting from the field, hitting 46 percent of their shots compared to Auburn's 30 percent, further widened the gap.
LSU asserted their dominance early in the game, initiating a commanding 21-0 run in the opening quarter, with Auburn struggling to find their rhythm. Despite efforts to narrow the deficit in the second quarter, Auburn found themselves trailing 43-19 at halftime. The Tigers displayed resilience in the fourth quarter, outscoring LSU 17-9, but it wasn't enough to overcome the substantial lead built by their opponents.
Leading the charge for LSU was Flau'Jae Johnson, who amassed an impressive 25 points, supported by Angel Reese, who contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds.
With the SEC Tournament journey concluded, Auburn now shifts its focus to an anticipated postseason bid. The team eagerly awaits the NCAA selection show scheduled for Sunday, March 17, where their next competitive opportunity will be revealed.
