AUBURN, Ala. — It was a one possession game in the final minute, but Auburn hit key free throws down the stretch to outlast Vanderbilt women’s basketball 70-62 on Sunday afternoon at Auburn Arena.
Vanderbilt (12-10, 2-7 SEC), which split the season series with the Tigers, was led by freshman Koi Love who matched a career-high with 22 points and finished with her fifth double-double (11 rebounds).
Fifth-year senior Mariella Fasoula finished with 17 points, junior Chelsie Hall scored 11 and sophomore Jordyn Cambridge finished with a career-high eight assists and added four steals to her SEC-leading total.
How it Happened
Vanderbilt scored the game’s first eight points, but Auburn (8-12, 2-7) rallied and ended the opening quarter on a 9-2 run for a 16-15 lead after one. The Tigers lead grew to 33-28 at the half.
Auburn stretched its advantage to as many as 13 with a 53-40 lead at the 2:38 mark of the third quarter. But the Commodores scored the last six and trailed just 53-46 heading into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, Vanderbilt slowly cut into the deficit. After a Cambridge steal and a Love fast break layup, the Commodores trailed just 57-52 with 6:33 to play.
Still down five with 2:34 to go, Love and Fasoula combined for three free throws in 60 seconds to close to within 63-60. Auburn was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 44 seconds left. The Tigers made all three (and made all seven free throws in the final minute) to go up 66-60 and held off the Commodores.
By the Numbers
Junior Autumn Newby matched Cambridge with four steals in addition to four points and four rebounds, while Fasoula added five rebounds.
Senior LeaLea Carter contributed seven points, while Hall added six assists, four rebounds and two steals.
Vanderbilt shot nearly 50 percent as the Commodores finished 27 of 55 from the floor, but was just 1 of 7 from 3-point range. The Tigers were held to 39 percent from the field and 4 of 21 (19 percent) from 3.
Vanderbilt held a slight edge on the boards, 34-32, but turned it over 22 times.
On Deck
It’s a week-long break for the Commodores who resume play Sunday at 4 p.m. against Ole Miss on SEC Network. Tickets can be found here. Vanderbilt then plays four of the next five on the road.
Sunday is Vanderbilt’s Pink Game for Breast Cancer Awareness. If you are, or know, a breast cancer survivor, Vanderbilt would like to offer free tickets and a game day experience to Sunday’s game. Sign up is here.
