On Thursday, Auburn defeated the Columbus State Cougars 94-65, wrapping up its final exhibition game before the start of the regular season.
“We tried to address the free-throw situation from the last game and the layups – and we still missed a lot – but with that being said, (we) still shot 51% from the field,” said head coach Johnnie Harris. “... overall, the kids played hard, and you know, when you scored 94 points, you have to be pleased.”
Coming off Monday’s win over West Georgia, Auburn readily awaited its Thursday night matchup against CSU. Harris emphasized that these exhibition games allow her to play around with different lineups to see what works the best.
“I was able to use different lineups,” Harris said. “I was able to go small. I was able to go big, so you know, the message to the team is just keep working because when I call your number, you never know. I put them out there, and they were effective...we have some things we need to work on and fix, and we will.”
After adding nine players this offseason, it is crucial for Auburn to figure out which lineups are more effective. Every player that subbed in proved they could produce offensively, with the bench scoring 42 points and the starting five scoring 52.
“The thing is, it’s a different look,” Harris said. “So, when I go to my bench, (it’s) longer and more athletic…Even though we’re starting (based on) experience, speed. But when we come off, we’re even faster and longer. So, I just think that’s a difference-maker.”
Auburn was off to a slow start in the first quarter, leading by only four points, but started to create some distance by the end of the half, leading 51-32. The Tigers maintained the lead throughout the second half, solidifying the win.
“When we came back in the second quarter, I put my first group back in, and I think that we were able to take off a bit,” Harris said. “So when you have depth, that’s what you want. You want to get in there with your experience, and then you come in with, you know, maybe younger but athletic (players), get all over them, kind of wear them down a little bit, and bring your experience back in and take off.”
Honesty Scott-Grayson led the charge with 20 points, going 6-for-9 on field goals, 2-for-4 for three-point field goals and 6-for-8 at the free throw line. Following her lead, Mar’shaun Bostic went 5-for-9 from the field and 3-for-6 at the free-throw line with 13 points.
While on the defensive front, Kaitlyn Duhon led the team with 10 rebounds – five offensive and five defense – and six steals.
“I’ve always taken pride in my defense and knowing that’s one of my key things, like putting pressure on the ball and making sure they fumble, and knowing that gives my team energy,” Duhon said. “So if I’m on the ball, and I’m giving pressure, everybody’s getting hype, and (the) energy keeps building from there.”
On Monday, Nov. 6, Auburn begins nonconference play against Jacksonville State at 7 p.m. CST in Neville Arena.
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Caitlyn Griffin is a sophomore from Huntsville, Alabama, majoring in journalism. She started with The Plainsman in fall 2022.
Twitter: @caitlyngrif99
