Tigers trounce Gardner-Webb 97-61, improve to 3-0

AUBURN, Ala. – Five Auburn players scored in double-figures, and Auburn's defense helped lead the charge as the Tigers ran away from Gardner-Webb with a 97-61 victory Tuesday night at Auburn Arena.

The Tigers (3-0) shot better than 50 percent in all four quarters, finishing at 53.4 percent for the game, and turned 24 turnovers by Gardner-Webb (0-2) into 25 points. All 14 players dressed saw the floor for Auburn, and 12 of 14 found their way onto the scoresheet.

Auburn's 97 points equaled its highest scoring output of the Terri Williams-Flournoy era, matching a 97-point effort in the season opener against Grambling State in 2018.

"We started going inside right away to Unique Thompson," Williams-Flournoy said. "That's always a great way to start the game. "(Annie Hughes) was a spark, and then when Romi Levy game in the game, I thought she was another spark. She played the top of the press extremely well.

"What I saw tonight was (our players) being more aggressive and not really standing back and being passive. I'm sure some of the rotation was probably still wrong, but at the end of the day, when we're aggressive and getting after people, you never know where people are supposed to be. We're flying into passing lanes, diving after loose balls. I thought we did a great job with our defensive pressure."

Thompson led Auburn with 21 points and 12 rebounds for her second double-double in as many games; she now has 44 in her career. She also had four steals on the night.

Redshirt sophomore Honesty Scott-Grayson and junior Keya Patton both had their best Auburn performances to date as both tallied 14 points. Scott-Grayson also pulled down a season-best seven rebounds along with a team-best five steals and three assists. Jala Jordan hit double-digits for the second time this season with an 11-point night along with a team-best four assists, and freshman Aicha Coulibaly finished with a season-best 10 points and six rebounds.

Freshman Romi Levy just missed double-digits with a nine-point effort that also included grab two rebounds, two steals and two blocks, one of which saw her sprint from half-court after a turnover to reject an otherwise open layup for the Runnin' Bulldogs. Annie Hughes added six points, all in the first few minutes. And freshman walk-on Riley Donahue scored her first collegiate points, hitting a 3-pointer in the final minute off an offensive rebound and assist from fellow freshman walk-on Carsen McFadden.

After Gardner-Webb hit the first basket of the game, Auburn pulled away early and never looked back, leading 28-9 after one period and 49-28 at the half. The Tigers kept up the pressure throughout, holding the Runnin' Bulldogs to a 29.4 percent shooting effort. GWU did hit nine 3-pointers but attempted 37 for a 24.3-percent clip.

The Tigers outscored GWU in the paint 62-18 and got 43 points from its bench. Auburn pulled down 47 rebounds to GWU's 41, and the Tigers registered 16 steals, a season-high.

Ki'Ari Cain led Gardner-Webb with 13 points, and Emma Capps added 12.

Auburn hits the road for the first time Saturday when the Tigers travel to Houston, Texas, to take on Houston. Game time is set for noon CT; fans can listen on WTGZ 95.9 FM and online at AuburnTigers.com.