PARIS – Led by a double-double from junior Mar'Shaun Bostic, the Auburn women's basketball team emerged victorious in their opening game in France with a 63-57 win Wednesday over the Paris All-Stars.
Bostic finished with 17 points and 10 assists, along with six steals and four rebounds to lead the Tigers as they played their first of three games on their European Tour.
"I thought it was really good that we got a chance to play against somebody else," Auburn head coach Johnnie Harris said. "I saw a lot of good things out there and a lot of things we need to work on. We did work on a lot of combinations. I wanted to throw these young ones into the fire and see how they would respond. We had some moments in there where we played really tough. We got a lot of good shots that just didn't fall.
"One of the things we need to work on is when we have an opponent down, not letting them back up. I think this team will do that. This team comes to work every day. I'm excited to get back and show them the film, and get back in the gym."
Baskets were tough to come by early and late, but the Tigers found their stroke through the middle 20 minutes as they shot just under 50 percent in the second and third quarters, building as much as a 17-point lead late in the third quarter before the French team chipped away in the closing minutes.
Bostic's 17 points led all scorers, as did her 10 assists and six steals. Freshman Savannah Scott scored 10 points along with six rebounds, and senior Taylen Collins and graduate student Honesty Scott-Grayson added eight points apiece.
Collins was the Tigers' top rebounder with seven, and Scott-Grayson had four steals and four rebounds on the night. Junior Kionna Gaines added six rebounds off the bench, as did sophomore Kaitlyn Duhon.
Auburn fell behind early as shots wouldn't fall in the first five minutes, but closed the first quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 12-11 lead after one period. The Tigers then opened the second quarter on an 8-0 run and never trailed again. It was 30-25 at halftime and 56-41 after three periods. The Paris team did not get back within single digits until the final 90 seconds.
Auburn out-rebounded their opponent 57-41 while forcing them into 28 turnovers.
The Paris team was led by former Coastal Carolina player Helena Delaruelle, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds.
After three days in and around Paris, the Tigers will travel to Switzerland Thursday, where they will stay for three nights in Montreux on the banks of Lake Geneva.
The next game of the trip is set for Saturday against a team of Swiss professionals in Monthey; tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time (11 a.m. CT). A live stream could be available on the Auburn Women's Basketball Facebook page pending availability of internet access in the competition venue.
Auburn tops Paris All-Stars in opening game in France
