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Auburn Women’s Basketball Dominates Columbus State 106-44

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Auburn women’s basketball signaled its readiness for the 2026-27 season with a crushing 106-44 victory over Columbus State on Wednesday night. The exhibition finale at Neville Arena wasn’t just a win; it was a clinical display of efficiency, as the Tigers shot 65.2 percent from the floor and utilized a suffocating defense to force 28 turnovers, which they converted into 41 points, according to Auburn Tigers.

For the Tigers, this game served as a final tuning fork before the regular season. For Columbus State, it was a stark introduction to the gap between their current roster and top-tier Division I competition. While the Cougars managed to keep things competitive in the opening minutes, the sheer physicality and depth of the Auburn squad eventually turned the contest into a rout.

Auburn dominates paint to beat Cougars

The disparity in power was most evident in the paint, where Auburn held a massive 70-12 scoring advantage. This dominance allowed the Tigers to dictate the tempo from the opening tip. Auburn jumped out to a 9-0 lead, holding the Cougars scoreless for nearly four minutes and shooting a blistering 73.3 percent in the first quarter to establish a 28-15 lead.

Kaitlyn Duhon anchored the effort, leading all scorers with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Duhon’s impact extended beyond the scoreboard, as she added nine rebounds, five steals, and three assists. Danielle Osho followed closely with 18 points, while Ashley Knox provided a significant spark off the bench with 16 points. The offensive balance was rounded out by Zahara Bishop (12 points) and Phoenix Stotijn, who contributed 10 points and a team-high six assists.

Despite the lopsided final, the game provided different lessons for each sideline. BVM Sports noted that Columbus State actually generated significant pressure early on, forcing 19 turnovers and scoring 31 points in the first half. However, that resilience evaporated after the break.

A second-half defensive lockdown

The third quarter was where the game shifted from a contest to a blowout. Auburn outscored Columbus State 35-5 in the period, connecting on 14 of 19 shots while limiting the Cougars to a single field goal. By the time the final buzzer sounded, Auburn had recorded 18 steals and six blocks, holding Columbus State to a dismal 25.9 percent shooting percentage.

“I didn’t feel like we were settled in the first half. We turned the ball over a lot more than we wanted. We did some untimely things. After halftime, we did a much better job of settling. Defensively, we gave up 13 points in that second half. Once we settled down, we started playing how we want and emphasizing all the things we wanted to work on.”

Larry Vickers

— Larry Vickers, Head Coach, Auburn Women’s Basketball

The statistical gap is best illustrated by the battle for possession and efficiency:

Stat Auburn Columbus State
Final Score 106 44
Field Goal % 65.2% 25.9%
Rebounds 45 23
Turnovers Forced 28 19

Kaytlin Arnold led the Cougars with 14 points, and Nadea Smith added 10, but their efforts were overshadowed by an Auburn team that recorded 28 assists on 43 made baskets.

The road to the regular season

Exhibition games are often dismissed as meaningless, but for a program like Auburn, they are essential for establishing the rotation and defensive identity.

Columbus State will view this as a "trial by fire." As BVM Sports highlighted, the result shows the challenges ahead for their young roster, though the experience of playing a high-caliber opponent provides a benchmark for their defensive improvements.

Auburn now moves toward “Tipoff on the Plains,” facing Alabama State on Monday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. CT at Neville Arena. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+, with radio coverage available via ESPN 106.7 FM and the Auburn Athletics app. For the Cougars, the wait is longer; they open their 2026-27 regular season on Nov. 9 against West Alabama at the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center.

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