Lady Tigers Put On A Spicy Exhibition But The Tigers Steal The Show

Opening night was a success on the scoreboard and at the box office for the Auburn men's basketball team, which used a full-court pressure defense and long-range shooting to produce a 116-60 victory over Southeastern Louisiana

Friday Night Hotshot: Freshman guard Jay Heard

More than 7,000 fans turned out to see a doubleheader that included an impressive 100-61 exhibition win for the Lady Tigers over the Mexican National Team.

The big news on opening night was a school record 19 steals for the men's team and the performances of newcomers Jay Heard, Chris Porter and David Hamilton. Heard came off the bench at the two guard spot and nailed all seven of his shots, including five treys, for a game high 20 points in 18 minutes. Porter hit 7-11 field goals for 18 points and Hamilton came off the bench to score 11 points and chip in a team-high 10 rebounds.

"There were a lot of things I was pleased with in this game," Auburn coach Cliff Ellis said. "There was no question who the dominant team was. This wasn't Arkansas, but at the same time you don't want a team to come in here and get any confidence going. I thought we took their heart out early." Although Ellis didn't say it, he could have added "and stopped that sucker flat."

The numbers explain the most lopsided opening night Auburn victory in 35 years. The Tigers hit 56.3 percent of their field goals and held Southeastern Louisiana to 36.2 percent shooting. Auburn nailed 12 of 21 three-pointers and forced 27 turnovers with an up-tempo, pressing style in which all 12 Tigers scored. The Tigers scored 68 points after halftime as they hit the 100-point mark for the first time since Jan. 6, 1996 in a 101-76 victory over Arkansas.

Ellis has to prepare his team for a quick turnaround. Auburn will play Florida A&M at 7 p.m. Monday night at Beard-Eaves Coliseum.

In the women's game, junior All-SEC center Conswella Sparrow hit 9-11 field goals and 8-9 free throws as the Tigers shot 59.6 percent from the field to rout the Mexicans.

Auburn really turned up the heat in the second half with 72.4 percent shooting. Coach Joe Ciampi got to look at everybody except the team trainers as 15 Tigers saw action and 14 scored for a team that opens its regular season at home on Friday, Nov. 20th at 7 p.m. vs. Troy State.

Like the men, Ciampi's team was on fire in the second half with 57 points while hitting 21-29 field goals, including all three shots behind the three-point line. Junior college transfer Shera Looney scored 12 points for the Tigers at forward and freshman center Lisa Ware added 11 points off the bench in just 11 minutes.