The Auburn women's basketball team improved its record to 13-3 (2-1 in the SEC) and Ole Miss fell to 7-9 (0-3 in the SEC) in a game that included not one, but two milestone performances Thursday, January 10.
Senior Blanche Alverson scored the first points of the game with one of her five three point shots, and set a tone for the evening as the Tigers quickly established a lead that they would not relinquish.
"Blanche hit the three to start the game and gave us the energy we really needed to get going right away," said head women's basketball coach Terri Williams-Flournoy.
However, it was Alverson's second three point shot of the game that stood out as it marked the 1,000th point of Alverson's career.
Alverson became just the 27th Auburn women's basketball player to score 1,000 points, and provided a spark for her team in a 76-52 win over Ole Miss on Thursday.
Alverson knew she was only 6 points away from the 1,000 point mark heading into the game, and acknowledged that she had hoped to accomplish the feat early in the game.
She was also quick to point out the importance of her teammates to her accomplishment.
"I owe it all to my teammates," Alverson said, "Without other people giving me the ball; I wouldn't have scored a single point. I am blessed to say that I was able to score 1,000 points, but I owe it all to them."
Even the opposition was quick to point out Alverson's skillful play and accomplishment.
"Blanche did a great job," Ole Miss women's basketball head coach Brett Frank said.
Alverson led all scorers with 23 points and went 5-of-9 on her three point attempts.
The Tigers were also helped by 14 assists from senior point guard Najat Ouardad.
The 14 assists marked an Auburn women's basketball career high for Ouardad.
Ouradad's 14 assists are the most by a Tiger since 1988, and she became just the fourth player to have 14 or more assists in a game in Auburn women's basketball history.
Ouradad also acknowledged the importance of team effort to her statistical success.
"It's great my teammates can finish," Ouradad said.
This ability to finish was exemplified not only by Alverson, but by Sophomore Hasina Muhammad, Junior Tyrese Tanner and Freshman Tra'Cee Tanner who all also added double digit point production with 22, 14 and 10 points respectively.
Muhammad has now scored double digit points in each of the Tigers' games this season.
Rebounding played a large role in Auburn's win as the Tiger's limited the Rebels to only 2 defensive rebounds in the first half.
Auburn was led by Alverson's 9 boards, and out-rebounded Ole Miss 41-28.
Defense was also a part of the well-rounded win as the Tigers had five blocks, 12 steals and forced 20 turnovers
The Tigers scored 17 of their 76 points as a result of turnovers.
Sophomore Tia Faleru paced the Rebels with 14 points and 6 rebounds while also adding one assist.
Junior Valancia McFarland also contributed 11 points and 5 rebounds, and her teammate Diara Moore scored 10 points for the Rebels.
Auburn women's basketball team will play its next game Sunday at 2 p.m. in College Station, Texas against 12-5 (2-1 in the SEC) Texas A&M.
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