Four Auburn women’s basketball players are looking to play elsewhere, according to AL.com.
Robyn Benton, Brooke Moore, Lauren Hansen have entered the transfer portal along with backup forward Natalie Kelly.
Benton (10.1 points per game), Moore (8.6 ppg) and Hansen (7.9) were all regular starters last season and made up a large part of their scoring behind junior Unique Thompson (16.2) and senior Daisa Alexander (13.8).
After her best season yet at Auburn in 2018-19 (22-10, 9-7 SEC), Terri Williams-Flournoy wrapped up her eighth season with an 11-18 recording, including 4-12 in the SEC. Last season the team finished sixth in the SEC and returned to the NCAA tournament, so there were expectations for the Tigers to go farther this year and compete for a higher spot in the top half of the league.
Now, with the graduation of Alexander, Unique Thompson, an AP Honorable Mention All-American, looks to be the only consistent starter returning. Earlier in the season, Abigayle Jackson (signed with Missouri State) and Maliya Perry (transferred to Dayton) both transferred after only playing in a few games. There are also no current commitments for the Tigers in 2020.
Current players will need to fill the void of the massive losses. Sophomore Erin Howard, who averaged 7.6 points and 4.2 rebounds and started 17 of 29 games, finished the season with sparks, including a 22 point output in the team’s win over Mizzou. Redshirt sophomore Kiyae’ White started 14 of 29 games and averaged 4.0 points and 4.8 rebounds.
Dawn Staley, who last April faced questions and criticisms after a number of transfers were announced, including Mikiah Herbert Harrigan (who since returned), offered words of encouragement to Williams-Flournoy.
@AUCoachFlo has been a great friend and coach.....just want you to know I’ve been thru what you are going thru....it will pass and you will be a better coach and have a better team. #4theculture
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) March 20, 2020
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