The Auburn Tigers (12-6) fell Sunday to the No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats (14-2) in Lexington, 54-47.
Both teams were afflicted with shooting woes and turnovers, as Auburn shot just 35.2 percent from the field and turned the ball over 21 times. Kentucky shot 36.2 percent from the field, and had 19 turnovers.
Kentucky, however, was extremely successful from the free throw line, going 17 of 25, which proved crucial in the closing minutes of the contest. Kentucky led late in the game, 47-37, when Auburn made an 8-0 run to put the Tigers within two points with just 1:54 remaining.
Then, freshman Taylor Murray hit a 3-pointer with 1:40 left, and Auburn wasn't able to play catch up due to the Wildcats' free throw shooting.
Brandy Montgomery led the Tigers in scoring with 15 points, while Katie Frerking and Janiah McKay added eight apiece.
Murray led Kentucky with 14 points, while JUCO transfer Evelyn Akhator pulled down 10 rebounds.
Auburn had previously beaten the Wildcats in Auburn in a game with a similar, sloppy theme; a game in which Kentucky turned the ball over 26 times.
The Tigers will face the South Carolina Gamecocks Thursday, Jan. 6 in the Auburn Arena. Tip off is set for 6 p.m. Central time.
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