Sunday’s game against South Carolina wasn’t exactly enjoyable for Auburn junior DeWanna Bonner.

Bonner, Auburn’s leading scorer this season, had one of her worst shooting nights of the year against the Gamecocks. But a strong finish by Bonner — and plenty of help from her teammates — handed the Tigers an 83-72 win, their fifth in six games.

Auburn (18-7, 6-4 Southeastern Conference) likely needs two more regular-season wins to assure itself a place in the NCAA Tournament field. But Sunday’s victory was a big step.

“It was an important win for us today, to continue on to accomplish our goals this year,” head coach Nell Fortner said.

“I came out kind of slow today,” Bonner said. “I wasn’t really focused on my scoring.”

Though it was an off day by Bonner’s standards, the junior’s performance Sunday was still impressive. She finished with 18 points — 12 from the free-throw line — and 12 rebounds, her 26th career double-double.

But nothing came easily, especially on offense. Closely guarded for most of the game by USC stopper Demetress Adams, Bonner was 3-for-13 shooting and committed four turnovers. She scored 12 of her 18 points from the free-throw line.

“She did a good job of coming back in the second half and getting points from the free-throw line,” Fortner said. “She had to get her points a different way today.”

Adams, like Bonner, was considered for a spot on the U.S. National Team’s Under-21 team last summer. Bonner made the team; Adams was cut.

According to USC head coach Susan Walvius, that offseason encounter made Sunday’s game a big one for Adams.

“There’s some motivation on Dee’s part there,” Walvius said.

But while Adams and the rest of South Carolina’s defense focused on Bonner, Auburn’s other starters took advantage of their opportunities. Junior Sherell Hobbs and freshman point guard Alli Smalley each scored 18 points, and Tamela McCorvey added 15.

Auburn’s fifth starter, forward Jordan Greenleaf, scored 8 points.

“We almost had five players in double figures,” Fortner said. “That’s a good day.”

South Carolina (13-12, 2-8 SEC) never led, but kept things close most of the game. The Gamecocks pulled within 3 points on a Jordan Jones jumper with 15:24 left in the second half, but Auburn responded with an 11-4 run to put the game out of reach.

South Carolina never came closer than 9 points after that run, but Auburn struggled to put the game away — thanks in large part to USC’s offense. The Gamecocks were 30-for-61 from the floor

“I would have sworn they shot the ball 80 percent today,” Fortner said. “Seriously — it seemed like every time they came down the floor, they hit shots.

“But we answered. Any run they made, we had an answer for it.”

Adams had 17 points to lead USC.

Auburn plays at Ole Miss on Thursday.

| 737-2561