Tigers Dominate the Paint and Boards as DeYona Gaston Delivers Another Monster Performance

Tigers Dominate the Paint and Boards as DeYona Gaston Delivers Another Monster Performance

Auburn cruised to a dominant 82-50 victory over Pittsburgh on Friday at the Paradise Jam, securing their second win of the tournament. DeYona Gaston led the charge with a stellar performance, recording her third double-double of the season with 28 points and 10 rebounds. The Tigers’ balanced attack and relentless defense overwhelmed Pitt, with every Auburn player getting on the scoreboard.

From the opening tip, Auburn set the tone with aggressive defense and fast-paced offense. The Tigers quickly built momentum with two key runs in the first half, including an 18-2 stretch followed by a 15-2 surge, to establish a commanding 22-point halftime lead. The size disparity between the two teams was evident as Auburn dominated the paint, outscoring Pitt 40-12 inside and controlling the boards by a staggering 49-22 margin, the largest rebounding advantage for Auburn since 2018.

Auburn head coach Johnnie Harris emphasized the team’s aggressive approach, particularly in the paint. “We wanted to set the tone, be aggressive, and not give anything easy,” said Harris. “The middle of the paint was open against their zone, and we took full advantage, getting inside-out and high-low points. DeYona really went to work on the boards, and we got contributions from everyone.”

Gaston’s all-around performance was a key factor, but she wasn’t alone in the effort. Celia Sumbane added 12 points, while Audia Young came alive in the fourth quarter, contributing all 11 of her points, including three 3-pointers. Taylen Collins also played a significant role, grabbing 10 rebounds to go with six points. Kaitlyn Duhon matched her season-high with six rebounds, further highlighting Auburn’s dominance on the glass.

The Tigers’ shooting was on fire, finishing the game with a 51% field goal percentage (34-67). In contrast, Pitt struggled, shooting just 27% from the field (14-51). Auburn’s defense played a pivotal role, forcing the Panthers into difficult shots and limiting them to just one player taller than 6-1.

The game was practically decided by halftime as Auburn built a 41-19 lead. Gaston led the charge with four consecutive buckets to close out the half, while Oyindamola Akinbolawa capped the period with a buzzer-beating layup. The Tigers continued their strong play in the third quarter, with Sumbane and Mar’Shaun Bostic scoring in bunches to push the lead to 60-32 heading into the final frame.

With the game well in hand, Auburn’s bench got significant playing time in the fourth, with Young, Syriah Daniels, Timya Thurman, and Jordan Hunter all contributing to the scoreline.

Auburn will look to continue their strong play when they face Kansas in the final game of the Paradise Jam on Saturday afternoon. The game is set for 4 p.m. local time (2 p.m. CT) and will be available on ESPN 106.7 FM, AuburnTigers.com, and ESPN