Auburn left no doubt Sunday who the best team in the SEC is. The No. 7 Tigers crushed -- and I mean crushed -- Arkansas 94-57 at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum on Sunday to clinch their first outright SEC regular season title in 20 years.The 37-point drubbing was Auburn's most lopsided SEC victory this season.
“We wanted to come out here and put our foot down and not only win the SEC, but also make a point. We don’t get a whole lot of respect. We’re trying to get a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. We’re trying to show teams we’re for real.”
The game was never in question. Auburn scored an SEC-high 54 points in the first half without the benefit of a 3-pointer, shooting 52 percent and committing no turnover to go into the break ahead by 22.
The real show was saved for later, though. Head coach Nell Fortner removed her four seniors form the game one-by-one.
“That was tight,” Boddie said. “I only cry once a year and I think I did today.”
After the game, orange and blue balloons fell from the rafters as Kool and the Gang's "Celebration" played on the speakers. The players threw rolls of toilet paper into the crowd with the intention of heading directly to Toomer's Corner.
“It was very emotional,” Fortner said. “They accomplished what we set out to accomplish … in one area. Now it’s on to the next.”
Some other notes and thoughts ...
- The seniors carried the day. DeWanna Bonner scored a game-high 25 points. Sherell Hobbs added 17. Boddie was her usual self, with 10 points and eight rebounds. And Trevesha Jackson grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.
- The day was almost ruined when Bonner had her right knee rolled into by an Arkansas player in a collision on the fastbreak. A pall was cast across the BEMC, the quietest I've heard that place. She got up and was able to walk off the court, returning a few minutes later as Auburn nation let out a collective sigh of relief.
- Everybody got in on the fun. Chantel Hilliard, who was wearing a knee brace after a scary-looking injury last week, finished with 11 points. KeKe Carrier added seven points and five rebounds in 16 minutes.
- Auburn clinched the No. 1 seed in next week’s SEC tournament in
- The Tigers might have to win the thing if they want a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Only unbeaten UConn is a lock for a top seed right now. "I think the conference tournament are going to have a lot to do with what happens," Fortner said.
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