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Auburn women beat No. 7 Kentucky 66-61

Jan 3, 2016 - 11:26 PM AUBURN, Ala. (AP) Auburn rallied for a signature victory - at previously undefeated Kentucky's expense.

Brandy Montgomery had 27 points and seven rebounds and Auburn beat No. 7 Kentucky 66-61 on Sunday for its first victory over a Top 10 opponent since January 2010.

Tra'Cee Tanner added 17 points, all in the second half, and 10 rebounds to help Auburn (11-3) overcome a 17-point deficit in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

''I don't think any word describes our team this afternoon except effort,'' Auburn coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said. ''Every possession, offensively, defensively, I thought we just played with a great effort.''

The Tigers' last victory over a Top 10 team was against then-No. 9 Georgia on Jan. 31, 2010.

Makayla Epps led Kentucky (11-1) with 20 points, and Evelyn Akhator had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Kentucky jumped out to an early lead with a 10-2 run and held a 10-point lead at the end of the first quarter after holding Auburn to 2-of-15 shooting. Kentucky had a 13-0 run in the second quarter, but Auburn closed the first half on a 6-0 run to cut the Wildcats' advantage to single digits. Montgomery and Katie Frerking kept the Tigers in it in the first half, scoring 18 of their 23 points.

Auburn's momentum carried over to the second half, as the Tigers outscored Kentucky 17-11 in the third quarter to trim the Wildcats' lead to three. The Tigers took the lead on Frerking's layup with 7:19 left in the fourth quarter and pulled ahead by four.

Auburn's Janiah McKay missed two free throws with 13 seconds remaining, but Montgomery secured the offensive rebound and made two free throws to stretch the lead to three.

Maci Morris shot a corner 3 for the tie on Kentucky's ensuing possession, but it was off the mark.

Montgomery grabbed the rebound and made two free throws with 6 seconds left to ice it.

''To get this first SEC win is huge,'' Williams-Flournoy said. ''We weren't given any great choices on who we play early on, so to get this first win underneath our belt was great.''

TIP-INS

Kentucky: The 11-0 start equaled the best start in program history. The Wildcats failed to make it to 12-0 for the third time (2009-10, 2013-14).

Auburn: The Tigers were 0 for 12 from 3-point range. It was the second consecutive game in which the Tigers have not made a 3-point attempt. ... Tanner had her fifth double-double of the season. She is now tied for second in the Southeastern Conference in double-doubles. ... Montgomery led Auburn in scoring for the ninth time this season. She eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for her career, reaching 1,013.

UP NEXT

Kentucky hosts Alabama on Thursday night.

Auburn travels to Mississippi State on Thursday night.