Zach Bland | AU Athletics
New-Look Tigers Best Sam Houston in Season Opener
Johnnie Harris received the best birthday gift a head coach could ask for on Thursday: a 90-76 opening night victory over Sam Houston. After spending the offseason carrying out a seemingly complete remodel of the Auburn roster and integrating a pair of freshmen into the starting rotation, coach J and company took advantage of their season-opening opportunity.
Despite having experienced guards such as Sania Wells and Mar'Shaun Bostic, the Tigers rolled out onto the hardwood trusting the likes of freshmen Kaitlyn Duhon and Sydney Shaw in their back court; the duo did not disappoint, combining for 14 points and letting their presence known on the defensive end of the floor.
In the front court, it was freshman Khryssa Richardson tasked with the responsibility of holding down the post in the illness-induced absence of junior Romi Levy. The Auburn newcomer posted five points and a pair of rebounds in her first regular-season collegiate start.
"I don't want to keep using the excuse that our kids are young," Harris said. "But they are. We have a very inexperienced team, especially at the point guard position. Even the veterans, in knowing what I want out of that position, that makes it sometimes a little bit difficult to run stuff. But I thought we got a lot off our defense."
While the highly-anticipated group of newcomers did not lack promise, household names Honesty Scott-Grayson and Aicha Coulibaly were not going to allow Tiger fans to forget why they have become staples of the program.
The pair of teammates showcased their previously established on-court chemistry, combining for 36 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 steals.
"This is just the preseason," Coulibaly said. "I'm proud of what I did today, but I still feel like I have a lot to improve. It feels amazing but we're playing better teams as we go into the season. I feel like I've still got to lock in and help my team out."
Auburn's triumph marked the largest margin of victory in an opening night contest since 2020, when the Tigers topped USC upstate 82-41 in previously named Auburn Arena.
"I'm really pleased with then win," Harris said. "I thought we turned the ball over a little too much, so there's stuff that we can learn from, and we will."
The group will have fewer than 48 hours to rest up and study film before playing host to in-state foe South Alabama inside of Neville Arena. Tipoff between the Tigers and the Jaguars is set for 7 p.m. CT on SECN+ and the Auburn Radio Network.
