TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Auburn squandered a late lead and ultimately failed to grab its third SEC win of the season, falling at Alabama, 68-64.
Auburn had the advantage for most of the game, but the Crimson Tide took the lead with 1:24 left. The Tigers' head coach blamed defense.
"There were times we were out there and didn't know they would shoot the three," said Auburn head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy. "You can't stand and watch and look at people."
Coach Flo and the Tigers also cited a lack of effort on the glass as a detriment late. Alabama only out-rebounded Auburn 10-6 in the final period, but the Tide's rebounding was leading to big second-chance points down the stretch.
"We were standing around. We got to rebound. It killed us," Williams-Flournoy said.
Sophomore Erin Howard led the first-half charge with 10 points, two rebounds and one steal. Howard had two 3-pointers in the first half and one in the third and finished the day with 15 points.
In the second half, it was sophomore Robyn Benton who took over, scoring 12 of her 14 points in the final two quarters. Eight of Benton's points came from the free-throw line in a foul heavy half.
For the first three periods of the game, the Tigers went 38% from the floor and the Tide shot 37% from the floor. Alabama was only out-rebounding Auburn 31-28 until the fourth quarter.
The Tide took control of the game once the fourth quarter came around, as Alabama shot 54% from the floor compared to Auburn's 28%.
With the loss, Auburn falls to 8-13 for the season and 2-8 in SEC play. The Tigers next matchup isn't any easier as they travel to Columbia, South Carolina.
"[The Gamecocks] are the best team in the country as far as I'm concerned," said Williams-Flournoy.
The Tigers play No. 1 South Carolina this Thursday evening.
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