The Auburn Women's Basketball team (4-3) ended the 2009 Seminole Classic with a win.
The tournament was hosted by No. 12 Florida State (5-0) and included Missouri University (4-2), Florida A&M University (3-2) and Auburn.
The Tigers' first game was Friday, Nov. 27 against the Florida State Seminoles.
Freshman guard Nicolle Thomas scored 27 points, the most by any Auburn player this season and of any Auburn freshman in the last 10 years, but it was not enough to prevent an 82-67 loss.
"It was a very physical, fast-paced game," said head coach Nell Fortner. "We competed very well with them for about 30 minutes and then it got away from us, but I am proud of how hard we fought. We're a work in progress and we'll get better."
The Tigers stayed close throughout the first half.
They led by nine with 6:50 left to play, but were unable to stop the Seminole offense.
"It was pretty tough," said junior guard Alli Smalley. "They made some big buckets and we were unable to do the same."
The Seminoles went up by 17, taking a 59-42 lead with 10:35 left to play and Auburn never recovered.
"We fought hard and we know we can keep up with the best," Smalley said.
Auburn made 11-of-22 shots in the first, but only shot 28 percent in the second, making only 9-of-32.
Auburn put together its best free throw shooting of the season. The Tigers connected on 21-of-28 attempts, or 75 percent.
Senior center Keke Carrier said Fortner was excited the team didn't give up and fought throughout the entire game.
"Coach said we fought hard," Carrier said. "We can't give up, stay encouraged and pick up a win the next day."
That is exactly what the Tigers did.
Auburn defeated the Florida A&M Rattlers 69-45.
"We were all tired from the game against FSU, but we knew we had to go and take care of business," Smalley said.
The Rattlers were able to keep it close and were only down by four going into the half.
With 8:41 left in the game, the Tigers went on a 15-0 run that started with a layup from freshman guard Morgan Toles.
All nine players scored for Auburn, led by Carrier and Smalley who had 17 points each, while Nicolle Thomas scored 10 and had three steals.
"I try to lead by example and show my teammates what we need to accomplish," Carrier said.
Auburn shot 36.1 from the field in the game, making only 22-of-61 shots.
The Tigers had more luck from the free throw line where they connected on 19-of-35 attempts.
Senior Guard Deidra Jones led the Rattlers in scoring with 16 points, while sophomore guards Antonia Bennett and Christian Rateree scored seven each.
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