On Sunday afternoon, the Auburn Tigers clinched their inaugural conference road victory of the season, triumphing over Missouri with a final score of 70-59, thereby elevating their overall record to 15-8 (4-6 SEC).
Guiding the Tigers to this crucial win was graduate student Honesty Scott-Grayson, who showcased her scoring prowess with an impressive tally of 24 points.
Notably, Scott-Grayson has maintained a remarkable consistency throughout SEC matchups this season, consistently notching 15 or more points in each encounter.
Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, the guard boasts an average of 17.4 points per game, securing her position as the seventh highest scorer in the SEC.
Furthermore, Scott-Grayson has recently embarked on a scoring spree, achieving 20 or more points in four consecutive games.
Throughout the matchup against Missouri, Auburn demonstrated dominance across most quarters, with the exception of a challenging third quarter where Mizzou staged a formidable comeback, outscoring the Tigers 27-20 and briefly leveling the game at 48-48.
However, Auburn weathered this storm resiliently and surged ahead, establishing an early fourth quarter lead that ultimately sealed their victory.
Reflecting on the game, Auburn head coach Johnnie Harris expressed satisfaction with her team’s performance, particularly in their defensive efforts to impede Missouri’s offensive rhythm.
Despite the Tigers’ resurgence in the third quarter, Auburn, bolstered by Scott-Grayson’s contributions, swiftly regained control, setting the stage for a commanding fourth quarter surge.
A pivotal moment in the contest came with Auburn’s 10-0 run at the onset of the final period, spearheaded by a pivotal 3-pointer from McKenna Eddings.
Eddings’ nine-point contribution, coupled with her proficiency from beyond the arc, played a crucial role in maintaining Auburn’s momentum.
Harris lauded her team’s resilience and strategic play in the fourth quarter, emphasizing their concerted efforts to generate quality scoring opportunities and capitalize on them efficiently.
Defensively, Auburn displayed tenacity, holding Missouri to a 40% field goal conversion rate while capitalizing on turnovers and steals to garner valuable points.
JaMya Mingo-Young emerged as a defensive standout for the Tigers, tallying 11 rebounds alongside 10 points, thereby securing her second double-double of the season.
Mingo-Young’s all-around performance, characterized by five assists and two steals, underscored her significance to Auburn’s success.
As the Tigers celebrate their triumph over Missouri, their focus shifts to their upcoming home fixture against the Kentucky Wildcats at Neville Arena on February 16th.
With momentum on their side, Auburn aims to capitalize on their recent success and further solidify their position in the SEC standings.
