Defense had been an issue for this Auburn team, but that changed Thursday night with its first SEC win of the season against Ole Miss, 59-43.
The marked the fewest points the Tigers (7-10, 1-5 SEC) have allowed in a game this season. The big area of improvement was turning the turnovers into points.
"We saw the turnovers being forced against Georgia. We just didn't convert them into points, now we're seeing those turnovers converting into points is much better," said Auburn head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy.
The Tigers switched early in the game to a full-court press that forced the Rebels into 18 turnovers.
"That's who we are. That's what we're supposed to do," Williams-Flournoy said.
The Tigers also held the Rebels to 27% from the floor, the lowest mark the Tigers have held an opponent to all season.
Offensively, the Tigers got a career night out of sophomore Robyn Benton with 17 points. Benton also added three assists and six rebounds for the night. After the game Benton said her "activity at the top led to more steals and run outs than usual."
Both teams struggled mightily in the second quarter of the game, shooting a combined 3-for-32 from the field. The Tigers were quick to bounce back in third getting turnovers that led to some easy baskets. Sophomore Brooke Moore helped the Tigers close out the game with 10 points, all in the second half.
Junior Unique Thompson got her 16th double-double of the season. Thompson had 10 points and 13 rebounds on the night. Thompson, with the 13 rebounds, moved into ninth place for career rebounding at Auburn with 762 career rebounds.
The Tigers dominated on the boards overall, out-rebounding the Rebels, 55-37.
"I was just telling the girls I need a little help," Thompson said.
The Tigers will look to make it two in a row as they head to Lexington to play Kentucky at 6 p.m. CST on Monday.
"We're smiling for once. It felt good to get that first win," Benton said.
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