Thursday, Jan. 13 8:00pm ET
Tigers get rare win over Tide
 
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AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- When Alabama turned up its defense, Auburn coach Joe Ciampi told his team to get physical.

The No. 10 Tigers responded by dominating the inside play and Shana Askew scored 15 points in Auburn's 69-51 victory over Alabama on Thursday night.

It was just the third victory for Auburn (13-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) in the last 11 games against Alabama.

Alabama, which trailed 36-29 at the break, opened the second half in a 2-3 zone and took away Auburn's second-chance shots. Ciampi quickly adjusted.

"We can't be a team that doesn't get second shots," Ciampi said. "So I called a timeout and decided to start pounding the boards."

Conswella Sparrow and LeCoe Willingham both grabbed 11 rebounds and dominated the Crimson Tide inside by helping Auburn outscore Alabama 33-14.

The Tigers outrebounded Alabama 50-33.

"This is going to be a good team because they listen and they adjust to different situations," Ciampi said. "This team understands it has to be a multiple defensive team and in essence a great rebounding team."

Sparrow, who overcame early foul trouble, also had 13 points. Willingham added 12.

"I think the game was more physical because of the rivalry," Sparrow said. "We don't want to lose to Alabama at all."

Auburn used its half-court defense to slow Alabama (10-5, 0-2). The Tigers are holding opponents to 52.4 points per game, third-best in the nation.

The Crimson Tide, which was led by Taquilla Allen's 15 points, shot just 29 percent for the game and was 6-of-26 from 3-point range.

"There are two blaring statistics that show me the outcome of the game -- our shooting percentage and we got killed on the boards," Alabama coach Rick Moody said. "I am really disappointed in that."

Tasha Hamilton added 12 points for Auburn.

Boo Barnes scored 11 points for Alabama, missing six of seven 3-point attempts.

 


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