LSU women’s basketball was able to keep up with Auburn early but was unable to overcome Auburn’s pace in a 63-53 defeat on Monday night at the PMAC.
“We wanted the game to be a low scoring game and it almost played into our favor,” said LSU coach Nikki Fargas.
LSU (8-14, 2-7 Southeastern Conference) rushed out to an early lead in the first quarter, scoring six points in the first 2:08 but Auburn (14-8, 4-5 SEC) managed to slow them down. Auburn held LSU scoreless until junior forward Alexis Hyder hit two free throws with five seconds left to take a 12-8 lead into the second quarter.
Senior forward Akilah Bethel tied the game, 12-12, with a layup with 8:07 left in the second quarter before Auburn answered with a layup. LSU closed the gap to 17-16 with 2:13 left, but Auburn junior Katie Frerking hit a three at the buzzer to go up 20-16 in the half.
Auburn controlled the paint in the first half, outrebounding LSU, 20-12, in the half and, 13-4, in the first quarter. LSU was outscored 16-8 inside the paint.
Bethel tallied six points for LSU and shot 3-of-6 in the first half. The remaining LSU players were 3-15. Auburn shot 9-24.
“I think our awareness was not there during the first half,” said junior guard Rina Hill. “Especially for me when my jump shot is not falling, I have got be more aggressive and take it to the wood and draw a foul.”
Hyder hit two free throws in the first ten seconds of the third before Auburn pulled away on eight to one run in the next two minutes.
LSU made only three field goals in the third as Auburn extended their lead 38-29.
An early five point run in the first two minutes of the fourth by LSU narrowed the score to 38-34 after Hyder made two free throws. Auburn followed with a 15-3 run before Hyder hit a jumper to slop the bleeding.
Auburn controlled the post, outrebounding LSU 36-28 and outscoring LSU 30-24 in the paint.
Hyder led all scorers with 17 points and nine rebounds. Hill contributed 11 points for the Lady Tigers. Bethel and junior guard Jasmine Rhodes each had 10 points.
LSU finished 15-for-43 from the field, while Auburn shot 23-of-47, including 14-of-23 clip in the second half. Auburn had 30 turnovers, but LSU only produced 18 points off of those turnovers.
“Our kids, they don’t quit,” Fargas said. We have been down and they have fought. They will play to the very end.”
LSU was without sophomore guard Jenna Deemer for the sixth straight game and senior forward Ann Jones for the fourth straight game.
LSU will host No. 11 Mississippi State in the PMAC on Thursday.