Opportunity knocked — and Syriah Daniels kicked the door down.
Making her first start of the season, the Auburn High product delivered one of the most complete performances of her career. She finished with 14 points, matching a career high, as Auburn cruised past Middle Tennessee 68–52.
Daniels shot 5-of-9 from the floor, knocked down a career-best three three-pointers. It wasn’t just scoring. She filled the stat sheet across the board:
6 rebounds (4 offensive), 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
And she did it on a night when Auburn needed someone to step forward.
With Mya Petticord held out for what Coach Larry Vickers described as “team stuff” — not injury-related — Daniels got the nod. The response was emphatic.
“Late last night, I was going through some clips of our players who haven’t played much this year,” Vickers said. “I watched some of the UAB game from last year … and Syriah did a good job defending similar players.”
Daniels typically plays behind Kaitlyn Duhon, who logs heavy minutes, but Tuesday forced a shift — and Daniels didn’t just survive it, she thrived.
Her energy showed up immediately. Daniels crashed the offensive glass, sparked ball movement, and made timely defensive plays that fed directly into Auburn’s transition offense. Her versatility allowed Auburn to maintain its defensive pressure while keeping its offensive spacing intact.
The result? Auburn’s best offensive night in weeks — and a reminder of the Tigers’ depth.
Daniels’ performance wasn’t just about the points. It was about trust.
“She did an excellent job,” Vickers said.
And that trust paid dividends on both ends of the floor as Auburn smothered MTSU for long stretches, including an eight-minute scoreless drought in the second quarter.
For a team searching for rhythm after three tight losses, Daniels’ breakout night was more than a spark — it was a statement.
She was ready.
And Auburn was better because of it.