Auburn University’s women’s basketball team secured its first Southeastern Conference (SEC) win of the season by defeating Florida 60-50 at Neville Arena on Sunday. This marks the first conference victory under new head coach Larry Vickers.
“It’s great to get our first SEC win of the year,” said Vickers. “Mentally, you never know how a team is going to bounce back from a game like Thursday (a loss at No. 2 Texas). We know every win in this league is going to be tough. We’ve got to figure out a way to play for 40 minutes. If we’re going to continue to win in this league, all four quarters have to be good.”
Auburn had three players score in double figures: Harissoum Coulibaly and Kaitlyn Duhon each scored 14 points, while Mya Petticord added 11. Ja’Mia Harris contributed eight points and nine rebounds.
“It means a lot,” Duhon said after the game. She also recorded six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a blocked shot while drawing nine fouls. “My team was up for the challenge and we were ready.”
The Tigers started strong with Coulibaly making her first three shots, helping Auburn take an early lead. The team led by as many as 11 points after Petticord’s three-pointer early in the second quarter. However, Florida responded with a 19-0 run as Auburn struggled offensively.
“It was deflating,” Vickers commented on Florida’s run. “As the run was happening, we began to put our heads down. The (11-point Auburn) lead gave us enough of an opportunity to make our run. They came out in the third with a lot of energy.”
Duhon ended Auburn’s scoring drought late in the second quarter with a free throw and then banked in a three-pointer at the buzzer, narrowing Florida’s lead.
“My coaches have been talking to me about how I’ve been shooting it well this season,” Duhon said. “I didn’t hesitate and let it fly.”
After trailing at halftime, Auburn regained momentum in the third quarter through defensive plays and timely baskets from Coulibaly and Leye. Petticord’s third three-pointer gave Auburn its first lead of the half during a 7-0 run.
Florida briefly reclaimed the lead before Leye scored again for Auburn heading into the fourth quarter just one point behind.
In the final period, Petticord made a jump shot that put Auburn ahead for good with just over six minutes left. The Tigers then made six consecutive field goals—including a key three-pointer from Harris—during a decisive 9-0 run that extended their lead.
Auburn finished strong at the free-throw line, converting nine out of ten attempts in the last quarter and outscoring Florida 20-11 over those ten minutes.
On defense, Auburn held Florida’s Liv McGill—who entered as the SEC’s second-leading scorer—to just 14 points on inefficient shooting.
“All of my teammates stepped up to the challenge, knowing that everybody had to get a piece of her,” Duhon said. “Being calm and collected and making sure she wasn’t the one getting them going for the whole game.”
Auburn now stands at 12-6 overall and 1-3 in SEC play while Florida falls to 12-7 overall and remains winless in conference games at 0-4.
The Tigers will stay home for their next game against Alabama on Thursday night at Neville Arena.
