AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn beat Alabama State Saturday in its return to the Plains. The Tigers looked dominant with the 83-40 victory over the Hornets. Auburn dominated Alabama State, behind a 53 percent clip from the field, while the Hornets were held at just 27 percent from the field.
Behind dominant performances from both Deyona Gaston as well as Celia Sumbane. Gaston had 35 points and just 25 minutes, adding a team-high seven rebounds to her stat line in the impressive performance.
Sumbane also had an impressive performance putting up 13 points on 6-9 shooting from the field. She had three three-pointers in her five attempts and added six rebounds and a team-high six assists to her stat line to top Alabama State.
“Celia is so unselfish.” Coach Johnnie Harris had to say after the game “This kid is getting better and better. We’re seeing her grow up before our eyes. She plays 100 percent and she’s giving everything she has.”
Auburn was able to put nine players on the court despite their depth struggles so far this year in trouble with injuries. We did not see Taliah Scott, who has had some injury difficulties so far this season, but in her limited time on the Plains has looked like one of the leading offensive powers on this Auburn Tiger roster.
Last year against Alabama State, Auburn had a program record for turnovers and came close again this year, forcing 26 and turning it into 25 points. Turnovers and points off of turnovers remain a big part of head coach Johnny Harris, his plans for the Auburn Tigers, and there’s a huge reason for their improvement over the last four years.
Somewhat out of character for Auburn today, the Tigers attempted 19 threes hitting eight of them, not something normally associated with head coach Johnnie Harris’s style, but a welcome addition to the Auburn women’s basketball team as they look to improve on last year‘s NCAA tournament appearance with a deep run in this year‘s tournament.
The performance of Gaston cannot go understated 14-17 from the field and seven of 10 from the line. She continues to carry this team to improvement on the offensive end.
“Being able to be in the right spot at the right time,” said Gaston. “Spotting those open areas around the paint and being consistent.”
Also of note for Auburn were the 17 fast break points, something that Auburn teams under coach Harris have very much prioritized and has carried them through many difficult times as well as led them to many wins. Fast break points will become very important come time for SEC play.
On the other hand, Auburn turned the ball over 15 times, something to be cleaned up in the future, but something to hang your hat on if you’re Auburn is that you only allowed seven points off of those turnovers not compounding mistakes is a great way to win games down the stretch.
Next up for Auburn will be Norfork State in their last non-conference game of the season. After that, they tip off conference play against 25th-ranked Ole Miss after the new year
