TOWSON, Md. – Redshirt sophomore forward Jordyn Smith pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds as the Towson University women's basketball team fell to Auburn University, 74-52 on Sunday afternoon in SECU Arena.

THE BASICS
Auburn 74, Towson 52
SECU Arena, Towson, Md.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• A lay-up from Janiah McKay helped Auburn open up an 11-4 lead with 5:41 left in the first quarter. After a timeout from Head Coach Niki Reid Geckeler, Towson scored seven of the next 12 points. That run by Towson cut the Auburn lead to four, 15-11 with 2:23 to go in the stanza. Sophomore guard Breonn Hughey had five straight points for Towson. The two teams continued to battle before a late three from McKay gave Auburn a 21-13 lead after one.
• Towson opened the second quarter on a 10-2 run and tied the game at 23-23 with 5:47 to go in the period. Junior guard Raven Bankston connected on a pair of baskets during that stretch. The two teams continued to battle on both ends of the court. A lay-up from junior forward Brianna Bush pulled Towson to within three, 30-27 with 1:53 showing on the clock. However, that was the final basket of the quarter for Towson. Auburn closed the quarter on a 7-0 run and took a 37-27 lead at the half. Katie Frerking had five points for Auburn during what proved to be a game changing run.
• The two teams continued to battle in the second half. The Auburn lead fluctuated between 11 and 18 points in the third quarter. Auburn shot 52.9% from the floor in the third quarter and got 11 points from McKay. Towson shot 35.3% from the floor and got six points from Smith.
• Auburn was able to maintain its advantage in the fourth quarter. The visitors pushed their lead to a game-high 23 points on Erica Sanders' basket with 4:33 to play. The two teams traded three-pointers in the final minute of play as Towson got one from Hughey and Frerking connected for Auburn.   

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Reid Geckeler was matched up in the game against Auburn's Terri Williams Flournoy. The pair use to coach together at Georgetown.
• Towson struggled to shoot the ball, shooting 28.6% from the floor in the game. Auburn shot 43.9% for the game.
• Bankston led Towson with 19 points and six rebounds. Smith had six points to go along with her career-high in rebounds.
• Hughey was the second Towson player in double figures as she finished with a season-high 11 points and four assists.
• McKay led four Auburn players in double figures with 23 points.

The Tigers are back in action on Wednesday, Dec. 23 when they travel to Georgetown for a 12 p.m. game.