It was a good run for women's basketball, winning three straight WNIT games, but the team fell in the Round of Eight Saturday, March 30, losing to Drexel 56-43.
In an emotional game, four Auburn seniors played for the last time in Auburn Arena including team leaders Blanche Alverson and Najat Ouardad.
"It was just tough, you never want to go out with a loss," said Alverson.
Alverson ended her career with Auburn with 15 points and five rebounds.
"Blanche has been awesome. She's a leader on and off the court for us," said head coach Terry Williams-Flournoy. "She proved she's not just a shooter. She rebounded, played the back of our press, showed a lot of her game."
The Tigers offensive production was slowed by Drexel's defense, scoring only one point in a seven minute stretch in the first half. Missed shots and missed opportunities was the theme of the night for Auburn as Drexel capitalized and put the game away early.
"Just about everything we could do wrong we did," said Williams-Flournoy. "However I'm very proud of our ladies."
Auburn was 4-28 from the field in the first half and missed 15 shots straight heading into the locker room. In the game the Tigers shot 35 percent from the free-throw line and nine turnovers.
The second half brought little change, as Drexel began to run on Auburn's defense and scored easily in the paint. When the Tigers did have opportunities it came off of turnovers, but they were unable to convert down the court.
Auburn shot better in the second half, 34 percent, from the field, and put up three times the points than in the first, but it was not enough as Drexel controlled the game.
The Dragons were led by forward Hollie Mershon, who scored 19 points and recorded a game-high 13 rebounds. Mershon played the entire 40 minutes and was able to keep the Tigers in check defensively as well.
The Tigers finished the year with a 19-15 record and next week Alverson will compete in the collegiate 3-point competition held at the men's Final Four in Atlanta.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
