AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn came out strong and stayed in control, using four 3-pointers and a career-high 16 points from freshman Yuting Deng to secure a 74-51 victory over Florida on Sunday at Neville Arena.
“She made a big difference. Her presence on the floor commands respect,” Auburn coach Johnnie Harris said. “She’s a high-IQ player who studies the game and scouting reports. She’s competitive and determined to help the team succeed.” 
Deyona Gaston led the Tigers with 18 points, while Celia Sumbane contributed 12. Mar’Shaun Bostic recorded a career-high 11 assists, added nine points, and finished with an impressive plus-35 in over 32 minutes of play.
“This started in practice a couple of days ago,” Bostic said. “My teammates and coaches encouraged me. When something good happens, it builds my confidence, and I want to carry that into the next game.”
“I thought she did an excellent job running the plays,” Harris said about Bostic. “She made smart decisions, but it all started with her defensive effort.”
Taylen Collins led the team with 12 rebounds and added eight points.
Auburn set the tone early, opening the game with a 10-0 run while holding Florida scoreless for nearly seven and a half minutes. The Tigers forced nine turnovers and six missed shots during this stretch.
“We established our defense right away,” Harris said. “We disrupted passing lanes, and after returning from Starkville, we pushed ourselves in practice. They carried that intensity into the game. Our last couple of practices have been outstanding.”
“We need to maintain this consistency,” Gaston added. “That 10-0 run made us feel united, like sisters on the court.”
In just her third game with Auburn since enrolling this semester, Deng came off the bench and made an immediate impact, sinking a long jumper and a step-back 3-pointer to help the Tigers take a 17-10 lead after the first quarter.
The lead grew in the second quarter, fueled by 3-pointers from Syriah Daniels and Celia Sumbane, along with a three-point play from Sumbane. Auburn scored 15 straight points, capping the run with Bostic’s and-one layup to go up by 22 late in the half.
“I saw our team playing with confidence and ease,” Harris noted.
Leading by 20 at halftime, Auburn held off a Florida push that cut the lead to 13 before Gaston scored on consecutive possessions to swing momentum back to the Tigers.
Deng hit another 3-pointer, and Collins added a mid-range jumper to extend the lead to 21. Florida closed the third quarter with four straight points, but Deng quickly shut down any comeback hopes with back-to-back 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, igniting an 8-0 Auburn run that pushed the lead to 25.
“She’s a difference-maker,” Gaston said of Deng, a newcomer from China. “You can see her improving every day. Her presence opens up the floor for everyone.”
Auburn (11-10, 2-6) now has a break before traveling to face No. 2 South Carolina next Sunday at 11 a.m. CT at Colonial Life Arena, airing on SEC Network.
“This journey is going to be a grind,” Harris said. “We have to embrace it, and I think the team did that today. The challenge is keeping them in this mindset every day.”