The women's basketball team got the Subway Classic in Minneapolis, Minn. started off the right way with a 66-60 victory against UCLA on Saturday.
Senior Tyrese Tanner's team high 24 points helped the Tigers stay ahead for the entire game.
"Tyrese was our leader today, she attacked the basket hard and hit some great shots against their 2-3 zone," said Auburn head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy. "Ty said in the second half, `we are not going to lose.'"
Auburn jumped out to the early lead and was up by as many as seven points early in the game, but UCLA came back to tie things up at 19.
Auburn pulled away for a nine-point lead and went into the locker room up at halftime leading 33-27.
Ahead by just three with less than a minute left in the game, Auburn freshman Allina Starr, a Minneapolis native, stepped up to the line and knocked down a pair of key free throws to give the Tigers a five-point lead.
After a defensive stop, Hasina Muhammad knocked down a free throw to give Auburn a six-point lead and the win.
"I really thought our defense picked it up in times we really needed it," said Williams-Flournoy. "We gave up some easy baskets and turned the ball over in some bad times, but they did not let it get to them. They kept their heads up and kept playing. Tyrese Tanner did an awesome job at the top of our press as well."
It was Tanner's second 20-point game of the season and her fifth game in a row with at least 17 points. She was 8-of-15 from the field and 7-of-9 from the free throw line while also grabbing eight boards and four steals.
With the win the Tigers are now 9-3 on the season and will return to the court on Sunday when they take on Minnesota. The Gophers fell to UCLA on Friday, 58-55.
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.
