AUBURN DOWNS FURMAN AFTER EARLY SCARE

AUBURN - Auburn's 14th-ranked women's basketball team used a strong second half effort and a balanced scoring attack to get past Furman 87-64 in non-conference action at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum Wednesday night.

The Tigers (5-0) shot 64.5 percent from the floor in the second half and scored 51 points to extend a 36-34 halftime lead. Auburn also held Furman to 37.0 percent shooting from the floor and 12 second-half turnovers.

Carol Smith led the Tigers with 20 points, while Lori Nero added 19, Tasha Hamilton scored 18 and Larita Spencer chipped in with 13 points and eight assists.

"To be down in every category at half and still be up on the scoreboard shows a lot of composure by this team," Au head coach Joe Ciampi said. "It shows that we are maturing and understand that it is a 40 minute game. Thank goodness at halftime we decided to make a defensive change and we came out and made it work."

Furman (2-2) jumped out early on the Tigers and held the lead until the 1:32 mark in the first half. The Paladins led 28-18 with 5:16 left in the first, but Auburn ended the half on a 18-6 run. Mary Brock led Furman with 14 with 12 coming in the first half. Alison Thomason added 10 points off the bench.

The Tigers finished the game with a 56.5 shooting percentage and Furman shot 47.1 percent for the game. Furman outrebounded Auburn 32-29.