After an embarrassing 29-point loss to the No. 5 University of Tennessee Lady Vols Jan. 28, Auburn Women's Basketball rebounded with a 67-53 victory over the No. 9 University of Georgia Bulldogs Jan. 31, literally.
The Lady Vols out rebounded the Tigers 43-37.
Auburn head coach Nell Fortner said they put the loss out of their mind quickly. "We just used it to learn some things from," Fortner said. Senior center KeKe Carrier echoed what Fortner said about moving on after a loss of that magnitude.
"We let it go that night, because we knew we had Georgia coming up," Carrier said. "We had to move on and look ahead."
The Tigers worked hard in practice to correct mistakes from the UT game.
"They came out, had two great days of practice," Fortner said. "I was really proud of them for that, but they have always done that, all year long."
When Auburn took the court Sunday evening, they were ready for their second straight game versus a top-10 team.
"They were totally prepared to play this game," Fortner said.
The 6-foot-7 Carrier was a force on the boards against the Bulldogs, leading Auburn with nine rebounds.
"I think KeKe Bobble-head Day got her all fired up," Fortner said. "She came ready to play today."
Carrier said she always tries to be a presence under the basket whether it be on offense or defense.
"Every game I try to go in there and dominate," Carrier said. "I probably was a little more aggressive coming off two losses and got motivated by my team."
In all, Auburn out rebounded UGA 39-27.
UGA head coach Andy Landers was not happy with his team's play under the basket.
"They kicked our butts," Landers said.
Seventeen of Auburn's 39 total rebounds came offensively with UGA recording only eight offensive boards.
"That's a nice stat right there," Fortner said. "That definitely helped us to stay in the game early."
She said getting so many offensive rebounds changes how the game is played.
"Offensive rebounding is a confidence builder and it is an energy destroyer for other team," Fortner said. "So, when you can really get on those O-boards it will really help you."
Auburn is now 2-1 when facing teams ranked in the top 10 from the SEC.
"I think it shows us the potential of this team," Fortner said. "I'd like to see a few more wins, but it's nice to know you can compete at that level."
Auburn hosts the University of South Carolina tonight at 6 p.m.
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