AUBURN, Ala. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by missed shots and turnovers, the Auburn women’s basketball team remained undefeated, edging Rutgers 51-46 on Thursday night at Auburn Arena.

The game was a grind from the start, with both teams struggling to find offensive consistency. Auburn improved to 6-0, while Rutgers saw its record even at 4-2.

Neither team could buy a basket from beyond the arc, combining to make just 4 of 26 three-point attempts. The difference came at the free-throw line, where Auburn was a perfect 12 for 12, while Rutgers left crucial points on the board, converting only 15 of its 23 attempts. Turnovers also plagued the Scarlet Knights, who committed 20 giveaways leading to 13 steals for the Tigers.

Auburn’s Khady Leye, a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Louga, Senegal, led all scorers with 14 points and was a force defensively with two blocks. Her presence in the paint was a constant challenge for Rutgers.

The Scarlet Knights were led by Zachara Perkins, a 6-3 guard from Houston, Texas, who logged a team-high 15 points and three assists in 38 minutes of action. Her teammate, Nene Ndiaye, also from Saly, Senegal, added 12 points.

Auburn built its lead in the third quarter, outscoring Rutgers 16-8 to turn a narrow 23-21 halftime advantage into a 39-31 margin heading into the final period. Rutgers mounted a comeback in the fourth, outscoring Auburn 17-12, but the early deficit and offensive struggles proved too much to overcome.

Beyond Leye, Auburn received balanced scoring with both Harissoum Coulibaly of Paris, France, and Mya Petticord of Detroit, Michigan, each contributing 12 points. Kaitlyn Duhon of Houston, Texas, was also pivotal for the Tigers, playing 35 minutes and contributing six points and two blocks.

For Rutgers, Antonia Bates of Easton, Pennsylvania, provided a defensive spark with two steals, while Imani Lester of Raleigh, North Carolina, added six points and two blocks off the bench.

The game was played before a crowd of 2,706. Auburn next faces Texas-San Antonio on Monday in Frisco, Texas, while Rutgers returns home to host Siena on Monday.