Tigers Fall Short In WNIT

Auburn was eliminated in the second round of the Women's National Invitational Tournament Saturday by Toledo 67-52.

The Rockets (25-8) led the entire game as Auburn (16-16) couldn't buy a basket.

"It just wasn't a good day for us on the defensive end or shooting the ball," said Head Coach Nell Fortner. "We got some really good looks at the basket, they just didn't drop."

Shooting only 31.1 percent from the field, the Tigers struggled to make a three pointer, hitting just 14.3 percent from the 3-point range.

Senior Ali Smalley, was one of two Tigers to score in double digits leading the team with 13 points. She was joined by freshmen Tyrese Tanner who finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.

"This is tough ..." said Fortner, "But, we will take some positives from this game. It was great to get into the postseason and we got some good experience for our young players."

Youth was the bright spot for the Tigers as Tanner was joined by three other freshmen (Courtney Strain, Camille Glymph, and Jassany Williams) to score 30 of Auburn's 52 points.

The young Tigers were severely hampered this year with injuries and the dismissal of senior Jordan Greenleaf. But Ali Smalley still had an All-SEC year.

Ali finished up her career in eighth place on the list of Auburn career points leaders with 1,611 points.

Although the Tigers season has come to an end; Auburn University plays host to the first and second rounds of the 2011 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship today and Tuesday at the new Auburn Arena.

Auburn has hosted NCAA Tournament games nine times from 1983 to1993 in Beard-Eaves Coliseum. But this will be the first time for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Women's Tournament to be held in the new Arena.

Tickets can be purchased at the Auburn ticket office or at www.AUBTix.com.