AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - On Sunday, the Auburn women’s basketball team traveled to Columbia to take on SEC foe Missouri in a battle of the Tigers. Defense has been the name of the game for Auburn all season and this game was no different. Auburn’s efforts on the defensive end aided in the turnover battle. Which ended up being the deciding factor in this matchup, with Missouri committing 27 in Auburn’s 70-59 victory.
Honesty Scott-Grayson got Auburn started quickly hitting a mid-range shot to give the Tigers an early 2-0 lead, following a Missouri turnover on their opening possession. Missouri proceeded to turn the ball over on their next trip down the court. This sequence seemed to set the tone early as Auburn went on a 9-0 run to begin the game and never looked back.
Missouri opened 0-7 from the field with their first points coming four minutes into the game off a Mama Dembele three to make the game’s score 9-3. An Auburn turnover a few possessions later opened the door for Mizzou to cut the lead to 9-5.
Auburn closed out the quarter outscoring Missouri 7-3 to make the game’s score 16-8. Auburn’s defensive dominance was on full display as they held Missouri to a 20% field goal percentage.
Missouri’s offensive production improved in the second quarter, putting up 13 points, however, turnovers and foul trouble seemed to carry over from the first quarter and plague them. Mizzou was whistled for five fouls, three of which were called on the offensive end. Auburn seized their opportunities scoring eight points off the miscues of their opponent.
At the half, Auburn led 33-21 Scott-Grayson led all scorers with 10 points along with four rebounds, followed by Jamya Mingo-Young with six points, four assists, and six boards. Auburn notched five steals and shot 40% from the field to end the half.
On the other end, Missouri rounded out the first half of play shooting 30% from the field surrendering 12 offensive possessions. Abbey Schreacke’s eight points and Mama Dembele’s five assists and six rebounds were one of the few bright spots for Missouri entering the half.
A new Missouri team seemingly appeared to start the second half, putting up a 27-point third quarter on 60% shooting. Mizzou managed to tie the game at 48, following a 7-0 run, but fouls and turnovers allowed Auburn to close out the third quarter on a 5-0 run and regain the lead at 53-48. Scott-Grayson’s offensive dominance continued, adding 10 points to bring her game total to 20 heading into the fourth quarter.
The stout defense of Auburn remained on brand in the fourth quarter. The Tigers held Missouri without a field goal attempt for nearly 4 minutes. With Missouri’s offense out ofthe picture for the time being Auburn went on a 10-0 run to give them a comfortable 63-48 lead with 06:35 left in the game.
Missouri did not break into the scoring column until the 05:55 mark. Auburn’s defensive efforts held up to close the quarter securing their first SEC road win of the year, 70-59.
Scott-Grayson finished the day with 24 points and has now scored at least 20 points in her last four matchups, additionally, she added five rebounds. Mingo-Young ended with a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, along with five assists and two steals.
Auburn will return to Neville Arena on Thursday, February 15, to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. The game will tip off at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network.
