Vanderbilt Opens SEC Play Against Auburn

Vanderbilt Opens SEC Play Against Auburn

1/6/2006

Vanderbilt begins Southeastern Conference action Saturday when it plays host to Auburn at 1 p.m. The game will be televised by Jefferson Pilot Sports.

The Commodores are looking to start SEC play with a victory for the third consecutive season. Vanderbilt topped Auburn, 59-53, to start 1-0 in the league in 2004 and defeated Alabama, 70-56, in the 2005 SEC opener. The Commodores are 43-28 all-time in SEC openers.

Vanderbilt (9-2) is coming off a 76-67 setback at Georgia Tech on Tuesday. Shan Foster led the Commodores with 19 points while Julian Terrell added 16 points and Derrick Byars dropped in 10 points. The loss snapped a four-game win streak for Vanderbilt.

Auburn (8-3) comes to Nashville following an 80-57 home win over Southern Miss on Wednesday. Daniel Hayles led the Tigers with 17 points while Ronny LeMelle added 16 points.

Vanderbilt owns a 73-50 advantage in the all-time series with Auburn, leading 43-16 in Nashville. The Commodores have won six of the last seven meetings at Memorial Gymnasium.