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Vanderbilt Rallies To Upset No. 20 Auburn 67-63 1-18-04 1/18/2004 The Vanderbilt used a 16-1 second half run to comeback and upset No. 20 Auburn 67-63 Sunday afternoon at Memorial Gym. Abi Ramsey scored a game-high 20 points with 14 coming in the first half. Trailing by as many as 14 points, the Commodores mounted a rally behind freshman Carla Thomas and senior Hillary Hager. Thomas recorded all nine of her points and all five rebounds in the second half. Hager added 12 in the second stanza to finish with 18. The 18 points for Hager was a career high against an SEC opponent. Vanderbilt fell behind by 41-31 after an Auburn layup by Le’Coe Willingham with 13:06 left to play. The ‘Dores then outscored the Tigers 16-1 and grabbed a 47-42 lead. The run was fueled by a very aggressive VU defense who forced AU into five turnovers during the second half decisive run. Vanderbilt scored 26 points off turnovers to Auburn’s nine. What had to be a sight for sore eyes was the appearance of freshman Dee Davis and senior Jenni Benningfield who have each been sidelined due to injuries. Davis immediately made an impact on the defensive end and also scored her first bucket since Christmas. In addition, Davis was able to lead the offense into making some easy buckets on the inside. The game began with Auburn trading baskets with Vanderbilt’s Ramsey. Ramsey connected on four three-pointers in the first six minutes. After eight minutes in the first half, the score was Auburn 18; Ramsey 14. “When the game started, I just got unconscious,” said Ramsey. Auburn was having its way with Vanderbilt in the early going by pounding the ball inside. Midway through the first half, the Tigers were shooting better than 70 percent. AU went on a 10-0 run in the first half to take a 23-14 lead. Vanderbilt fought back and cut the lead to 35-29 at the half after Hager hit a three late in the half. Natasha Brackett led the Tigers with 18 points and three treys. The victory marks the first win over a ranked opponent since March 7, 2003 when Vanderbilt upset No. 17 Georgia in the SEC Tournament. The win was also the fifth straight over Auburn. |
