Auburn women’s basketball coach Nell Fortner had a simple message for freshman center Cassie Moore after Moore’s career game against Mississippi State on Sunday.

Nice work. Now, do it again. And again.

Moore’s 17-point, five-rebound game against Mississippi State helped key AU’s second consecutive Southeastern Conference win. Now, Fortner wants the rookie to follow it up with a strong performance today at Florida.

“We are definitely going to count on her,” Fortner said of Moore, the 6-foot-4 Montgomery native who had just 3 points in SEC play before last Sunday.

Moore’s development this season has been slow but steady. Now, with eight games remaining in the SEC season, Fortner believes the freshman is ready to play a major role.

It’s perfect timing: AU (15-6, 3-3 SEC) is fighting for an NCAA Tournament berth and likely needs at least seven conference wins to get there. Moore could be the extra contributor the Tigers have searched for since point guard Whitney Boddie was lost for the season due to academic ineligibility.

“It’s just the culmination of the light bulb going off in a young player’s head,” Fortner said. “It starts coming together for them.

“I think that is a little of what’s happening with Cassie. It has to do with her confidence and with her teammates believing in her and giving her the ball and encouraging her to score.”

Moore’s skills will be tested on offense and defense tonight against Florida (14-8, 3-4).

Like Mississippi State, the Gators field a smallish lineup: None of UF’s starters is taller than 5-foot-11.

Unlike MSU, Florida nonetheless boasts a tough inside game, led by senior forward Marshae Dotson. Dotson is the SEC’s fifth-leading scorer with 15.3 points per game despite a 5-foot-11 frame.

“Marshae is such a dangerous player, because even though she’s 5-11, she plays a lot bigger than 5-11,” Fortner said. “She’s an excellent leaper, she can put the ball on the floor like a perimeter player and she has post moves. … You have to be quick on your feet to guard her.”

If Auburn’s NCAA tourney dreams are to come true, Moore and the rest of the Tigers’ post players must be ready for Dotson.

According to Fortner, the Tigers don’t lack confidence.

“I think our team feels good about themselves right now,” she said. “Right now we have those two good wins under our belt and we just kind of ride that and keep it going.”

Today’s game begins at 6 p.m. and will not be televised.

| 737-2561