AUBURN, Ala. – The excitement of the 54th varsity season of Auburn women’s basketball is set to kick off Monday night as the Tigers take on Southern Illinois in an eagerly anticipated showdown at Neville Arena. Fans can mark their calendars for a 6 p.m. CT tip-off, setting the stage for a thrilling season ahead.
Fans in attendance can gear up for the game by collecting the official 2024-25 women’s basketball poster and may also grab rally towels, glow sticks, and shakers, all part of the spirited “Gear Up for Gameday” campaign designed to enhance the live game experience.
Season tickets for enthusiastic supporters are still available, starting at just $50, while single-game tickets can be purchased in advance or at the arena ticket office. For further details or to secure your tickets, visit AUBTix.com or contact the ticket office at 855-282-2010.
PARKING INFO
›› In a significant update for the 2024-25 season, the Neville Arena parking lot is now designated as a reserved permit-only area exclusively for premium reserved season-ticket holders. This privilege ensures hassle-free access to the venue for dedicated fans, while parking for all other attendees remains available in the Campus Safety Lot, Coliseum Lot, and Stadium Deck.
ON THE AIR
›› Fans can catch the game live on the radio with Brit Bowen and Larry DiChiara providing the call on ESPN 106.7 FM, starting at 5:45 p.m. CT. Additionally, the broadcast will be accessible through AuburnTigers.com and the Auburn Athletics app.
›› Live coverage of the game will also be available on SEC Network +, featuring play-by-play commentary from JJ Jackson and hall-of-famer Joe Ciampi. Viewers can enjoy the action via WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app.
LAST TIME OUT
›› In a commanding performance, Auburn women’s basketball triumphed over LaGrange with an astonishing score of 106-26 during their sole exhibition match at Neville Arena. The Tigers exhibited their offensive prowess with three players achieving double-doubles, led by the outstanding DeYona Gaston, who notched an impressive 32 points to go along with 14 rebounds.
›› Taylen Collins contributed significantly with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Mar’Shaun Bostic delivered a well-rounded performance with 12 points, 13 assists, and eight steals. Auburn’s offense was firing on all cylinders, shooting an impressive 57 percent (45-79) from the field, with a staggering 80 of their 106 points coming from inside the paint.
›› Gaston’s efficiency was on full display as she connected on 15-of-17 shooting, complemented by four assists, three steals, and a block in her inaugural outing at Neville Arena. Collins demonstrated her scoring ability with a 10-of-16 shooting performance, while Bostic shone brightly by going a perfect 6-of-6.
›› Three additional Tigers joined the double-digit scoring club: Oyindamola Akinbolawa, Audia Young, and Jordan Hunter each contributed 10 points, and Celia Sumbane added nine. Syriah Daniels had a solid all-around game, contributing four rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
AUBURN-SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SERIES
›› Historically, Auburn and Southern Illinois have faced each other only once before in women’s basketball. The encounter took place back in 1986 when the 10th-ranked Tigers hosted the Salukis in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum. Auburn emerged victorious with a 61-39 win, securing their place in the Sweet 16.
SCOUTING THE SALUKIS
›› This season, Southern Illinois features a significantly revamped roster, returning only four players from last year’s squad that concluded the season with an 11-20 record and a 6-14 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Salukis averaged 65.7 points per game while allowing 68.4.
›› Senior guard Se’Quoia Allmond is poised to be a key player, serving as the top returning performer in multiple categories with averages of 5.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. As a note of caution, SIU has been projected to finish 10th in the Missouri Valley Conference according to a preseason poll.
FAMILY REUNION
›› The connection between Auburn’s coaching staff and SIU head coach Kelly Bond-White runs deep. Before taking the reins at SIU in 2022, Bond-White spent 19 seasons as part of Gary Blair’s coaching staff at Texas A&M, where she and Auburn head coach Johnnie Harris worked together. Furthermore, Bond-White also coached Auburn’s associate head coach, Damitria Buchanan, during her playing days with the Aggies.
SCOUTING AUBURN – WHO’S BACK
›› Auburn boasts a solid roster, returning two starters and nine letterwinners from a previous season that saw them finish with an admirable 20-12 overall record, going 8-8 in SEC play and securing an NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since 2019. Graduate student Taylen Collins heads the list of returning players as the Tigers’ leading scorer (7.9 ppg) and rebounder (6.3 rpg). Notably, she held or shared the lead in rebounds across 16 games last year and consistently displayed her dominance with three double-doubles to her name.
›› As she embarks on her final collegiate season, Collins has accumulated 1,005 career points, achieving her milestone of 1,000 points during the Tigers’ NCAA Tournament game against Arizona on March 23.
›› Senior Mar’Shaun Bostic is expected to step into the role of starting point guard on opening night, having averaged 5.9 points and leading the returning players with 81 assists (2.6 per game) last season. Recognized as one of the fastest and most tenacious defenders in the SEC, Bostic also led the Tigers with an average of 1.6 steals per game during the previous season.
›› Not to be overlooked, junior Kaitlyn Duhon appeared in 31 out of 32 games last season and looks to play a significant role this year. Duhon, another stellar defender, averaged 1.2 steals per game in addition to 5.4 points per game. Senior Celia Sumbane will complement the backcourt rotation, having averaged 3.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals during her 15.6 minutes per game last year.
›› In the post, junior Oyindamola Akinbolawa (6-5) and sophomore Yakiya Milton (6-4) are anticipated to vie for playing time. Akinbolawa demonstrated her potential last season, particularly in a notable victory against LSU, but had to sit out the latter half of SEC play due to a thumb injury. Meanwhile, Milton’s minutes increased as the season progressed, culminating in a season-best performance of 8 points and 3 blocks in the NCAA Tournament game against Arizona.
SCOUTING AUBURN – THE NEWCOMERS
›› The new season brings fresh talent, with sophomore Taliah Scott transferring from Arkansas where she was recognized as one of the top performers, averaging 22.1 points and earning a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team last season.
›› Graduate student DeYona Gaston made headlines as the Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year while playing for Texas, where she averaged 8.4 points and 4.2 rebounds off the bench, also registering two double-doubles in her performances.
›› True freshmen Jordan Hunter and Syriah Daniels, regarded as two of the top high school players in Alabama last year, are primed to step into their first collegiate competition this week.
UP NEXT
›› Following the season opener, Auburn will continue its three-game home streak, welcoming Virginia University-Lynchburg to Neville Arena on Friday, Nov. 8, with another 6 p.m. CT game time set.
**Interview: Auburn Women’s Basketball Head Coach Johnnie Harris**
**Interviewer:** Coach Harris, the 54th varsity season of Auburn women’s basketball is set to begin on Monday with the season opener against Southern Illinois. How excited are you and the team to kick off this new season?
**Johnnie Harris:** We’re incredibly excited! We’ve been preparing all summer and fall, and our players are eager to hit the court. Starting the season at Neville Arena with our fans is a fantastic way to begin, and we’re looking forward to showing them what we’ve been working on.
**Interviewer:** Fans attending the game this season can participate in the “Gear Up for Gameday” campaign. Can you tell us more about the atmosphere you hope to create at the arena?
**Johnnie Harris:** We want to create an electric atmosphere! The “Gear Up for Gameday” campaign is all about enhancing the fan experience. From posters to rally towels and glow sticks, we want our fans to feel the excitement and energy that basketball brings. It’s a community event, and we want everyone to feel like they are part of this journey with us.
**Interviewer:** Last year, your team had a commendable season and secured an NCAA Tournament bid. What can fans expect from the Tigers this year?
**Johnnie Harris:** We’re building on last year’s momentum. We have two returning starters and a solid group of letterwinners who are ready to step up. Our players have been working hard on both ends of the court, and we plan to be a competitive team in the SEC. The goal is to continue improving every game and represent Auburn with pride.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned your returning players, including Taylen Collins and Mar’Shaun Bostic. How important will their leadership be this season?
**Johnnie Harris:** Their leadership is crucial. Both Taylen and Mar’Shaun have experience and have proven they can perform under pressure. Taylen’s scoring ability and Mar’Shaun’s defense will be pivotal for us. We’re counting on them to guide the team, especially early in the season as we find our rhythm.
**Interviewer:** Southern Illinois has a revamped roster compared to last year. How are you preparing your team for this matchup?
**Johnnie Harris:** We always respect our opponents, regardless of their record. We’ve been analyzing their past games, and we know they’ll be eager to start fresh this season. We’ll focus on executing our game plan, playing tough defense, and maximizing our opportunities on offense. If we stay true to our strengths, I believe we’ll come out on top.
**Interviewer:** what do you want Auburn fans to know as they prepare to support the team this season?
**Johnnie Harris:** I want our fans to know how much their support means to us. We feed off their energy in the arena. Whether they can attend the games in person or tune in through the broadcasts, every bit of encouragement helps. We’re excited about this season and can’t wait to make some great memories together!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach Harris, for your insights and best of luck with the upcoming season!
**Johnnie Harris:** Thank you! Go Tigers!
