In a game riddled with foul trouble and missed opportunities, the women's basketball team (1-0) edged past in-state rival Troy University (0-1) Friday night 70-65.
The game was the first of the season for both the Tigers and the Trojans.
The two teams combined for 54 fouls throughout the game.
Three players for the Trojans fouled out of the game and two others finished the game with four fouls.
The Tigers had one player foul out and three others with four fouls at the end of the game.
Junior guard Chantel Hilliard, who had her first collegiate start against Troy, said when the referees call fouls that much, players need to play hard, but know their limits.
"We just got to pay attention to our mistakes and not repeat them over and over again," Hilliard said.
Troy head coach Michael Murphy said he felt the fouls indicated both teams playing a strong man defense, and even though each team went to the line frequently, neither shot free throws particularly well.
"It could have been a real game changer late in the game and created some space on the scoreboard," Murphy said.
Space on the scoreboard is something the Tigers lacked throughout the game, with their largest lead only nine points late in the first half.
Junior guard Alli Smalley took the reins as veteran and team leader and tried to further the gap between the two teams.
Smalley took 30 shots and made five of six free throws.
Smalley tied her own career high with 23 points and had a team-high four assists.
"I'm one of the upperclassmen now and have more experience than a lot of other players, and we are a young team," Smalley said. "We have four freshmen coming in and we'll just continue to get better."
Auburn head coach Nell Fortner said Smalley knows her role this season and has done a good job embracing that role.
She feels Smalley will continue to improve as the go-to player in the offense.
Hilliard and freshman guard Nicolle Thomas each recorded 13 points in the team's win.
Junior forward Jordan Greenleaf led the team in rebounds with nine.
Even though the Trojans' largest lead was only two early in the second half, the team kept the score close.
Troy was led by senior guard Brittnie Davis, who scored 14 points and had six rebounds.
Murphy said he was appreciative of his team's effort and passion.
"We overcame a lot of things such as injuries, foul trouble and kids that have never played before," Murphy said. "You take away something from every game, pro and con, and we've got a lot of pros to look at."
Both teams hit less than 40 percent from the field. Auburn only connected on close to 16 percent of its three-point attempts.
Auburn looks for another win tonight as Texas A&M travels to Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum. The Aggies will come to Auburn ranked No. 16 in the USA Today poll.
The Aggies are also coming off a huge win, knocking sixth ranked Duke at home, 95-77.
Fortner said her team still has a long way to go to reach its potential and is far from being the team it needs to be when conference season arrives.
"The kids have to grow up and learn how to play at this level and come to play every night," Fortner said. "We've got a young team, and it's just going to take us a while."
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