Auburn women’s basketball sent a loud message to the rest of the league Wednesday night, dismantling Columbus State 106-44 in an exhibition finale at Neville Arena. The victory wasn’t just about the final score; it was a showcase of a balanced offensive engine and a suffocating defense that left the Cougars with very few answers.
This blowout serves as a critical baseline for the Tigers as they transition from exhibition play to the regular season. While the margin of victory was staggering, the game highlighted a tale of two halves—one where Auburn struggled to find its rhythm and another where they operated with clinical precision. As Auburn reported, the Tigers converted 28 forced turnovers into 41 points, proving that their transition game is already primed for high-stakes competition.
Auburn finds its rhythm after a shaky start
The game didn’t start as a landslide. In the first half, Auburn struggled with composure. Head coach Larry Vickers noted that the team didn’t feel “settled” early on, citing a higher turnover rate than the staff desired and several “untimely things” that hindered their flow.
Despite those hiccups, the raw talent gap was evident. Auburn opened the contest on a 9-0 run and kept Columbus State scoreless for nearly four minutes. By the end of the first quarter, the Tigers had already built a 28-15 lead, shooting a blistering 73.3 percent from the field. Kaitlyn Duhon set the tone early, racking up nine points in the opening frame.
Auburn women’s basketball beats Division II Columbus State in an exhibition.Kaitlyn Duhon leads the Tigers with 19 points and nine rebounds. Danielle Oshk scores 18 points, with both shooting well. Three other Auburn players score in double figures. pic.twitter.com/1hAfA1QpcB
The lead grew to 25 points in the second period, and Auburn headed into the locker room with a comfortable 54-31 advantage. However, it was the second half where the game shifted from a contest to a clinic.
“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, Auburn Head Coach
A third-quarter surge decides the outcome
The third quarter was where Auburn effectively ended the game. The Tigers outscored the Cougars 35-5 in a ten-minute stretch of absolute dominance. During this period, Auburn connected on 14 of 19 shots, while the Cougars managed to secure only a single field goal.
The statistical disparity across the entire night tells the story of a team that controlled every inch of the hardwood. Auburn dominated the paint with a 70-12 scoring advantage and held a commanding 45-23 lead on the boards. They finished the night shooting 65.2 percent from the floor, converting 43 of 66 attempts.
| Stat Category | Auburn | Columbus State |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 106 | 44 |
| Field Goal % | 65.2% | 25.9% |
| Rebounds | 45 | 23 |
| Turnovers Forced | 28 | 19 |
Individual performances were evenly spread. Kaitlyn Duhon led the way with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting, adding nine rebounds and five steals. Danielle Osho followed closely with 18 points, and Ashley Knox provided a spark off the bench with 16. Zahara Bishop (12 points) and Phoenix Stotijn (10 points, 6 assists) rounded out the five Tigers who scored in double figures.
The view from the Cougars’ side
For Columbus State, the night was less about the scoreboard and more about the experience of facing Division I competition. BVM Sports reported that the Cougars stayed competitive early, generating pressure and forcing 19 Auburn turnovers. Kaytlin Arnold led the Cougars with 14 points, while Nadea Smith contributed 10.
While the final result was lopsided, the first half provided a glimpse of what the Cougars can do when they are locked in. Scoring 31 points against a powerhouse like Auburn is a building block for a young roster. The challenge now is translating that early-game energy into a full 40 minutes of sustained effort.
Looking toward the regular season
The exhibition slate is now closed, and the focus shifts to the official start of the 2026-27 campaign. For Auburn, the next test is “Tipoff on the Plains” against 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.
Columbus State has a longer runway before their season officially begins. The Cougars are scheduled to open their regular season on Nov. 9 against West Alabama at the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center, with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m.
Auburn leaves this exhibition with a polished offense and a defense that can shut down an opponent for entire quarters. The remaining question is whether they can maintain that second-half discipline from the opening tip when the games actually start counting toward the standings.
