The Auburn Tigers continued their perfect start to the season in dominant fashion after defeating the UTSA Roadrunners 59–42 on Monday afternoon. The matchup took place in Frisco, Texas, as part of a two-game set in the Hoopsfest, with the second game scheduled for Wednesday against the California Golden Bears.
The Tigers started the game with a bang, scoring 19 points in the first quarter and finishing the period up eight on the Roadrunners. A majority of Auburn’s offense came during a 14–4 run in the final seven minutes. Senior guard A’Riel Jackson sparked the early surge after Auburn briefly trailed 7–6, hitting a 3-pointer and a mid-range jumper on back-to-back possessions to shift momentum in the Tigers’ favor.
The second quarter proved to be more of a grind, as the teams traded baskets throughout. Auburn ultimately won the period 14–13 and entered halftime with a nine-point advantage. The Tigers’ perimeter defense was suffocating, forcing UTSA into seven turnovers. Junior guard Kaitlyn Duhon led the way defensively, collecting two steals and knocking down a 3. Duhon finished the afternoon with an impressive stat line, totaling four steals and two blocks in 29 minutes.
Auburn’s most dominant defensive stretch came in the third quarter, when the Tigers held UTSA to just seven points on 2-for-12 shooting. Overall, Auburn limited the Roadrunners to 29% shooting from the floor and 17% from 3 while forcing 30 turnovers, showcasing a level of defensive intensity that set the tone for the rest of the game.
The fourth quarter sealed the Tigers’ commanding performance, as they outscored UTSA 15–11 to secure the 17-point victory. Senior Mya Petticord scored seven points in the final frame, knocking down a 3, a jumper and a layup to close out the win.
The Tigers are now one victory away from their best start to a season in more than a decade. Their next test comes against the 6–1 California Golden Bears, who will be facing their second SEC opponent of the season after previously falling to Vanderbilt. Auburn hopes to maintain its momentum and continue building confidence before the heart of conference play arrives.
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Jonathan is a freshman majoring in industrial and systems engineering. He started with The Plainsman in the fall of 2025.
