Adams: Right calls did wonders

Both the team and the coach stepped up in a crucial 58-55 victory over Georgia at Stegeman Coliseum on Thursday night.

Summitt’s first step was a new 3-2 matchup zone, which the team began practicing after its victory over Georgia a month ago. Her next step was more direct and spontaneous.

And it was in the direction of the officials.

Summitt walked almost to mid-court to make her point after Georgia quicksilver guard Sherill Baker stole the ball from Shanna Zolman and drove for a layup to give the Bulldogs a 35-22 lead in the first three minutes of the second half.

"I was really upset about the lack of calls we were getting, and obviously the calls on the other end," Summitt said. "Did that have a bearing?"

She intimated otherwise.

"I thought that in the closing minutes of the game we took the ball inside, and they had to guard us," Summitt said. "I thought that was the difference. That’s what we didn’t do in the first half."

But more than UT’s offense changed in the last 17 minutes. So did the officials’ calls.

After Summitt made her point near mid-court, 10 of the last 14 fouls went against Georgia.

Not only did Georgia foul more often, it made fewer defensive plays. The Lady Vols had 18 turnovers in the first 23 minutes, and three in the last 17 minutes.

UT has played better games this season, but its determination was never more evident than in overcoming a 14-point deficit on the 13th-ranked Lady Bulldogs’ home court. The comeback was more significant in light of UT’s limitations.

Playing without injured point guard Alexis Hornbuckle, UT relied on shooting guard Zolman and post player Candace Parker to set the offense and handle the ball against the ball-hawking Lady Bulldogs.

Although the Lady Vols struggled through most of the first half, they were decidedly better under pressure than Georgia, which failed to score on its last seven possessions.

What UT lacked in quickness, it made up for in size. The Lady Vols had a 42-27 rebounding advantage against Georgia, and held it to 33.3 percent shooting from the field, well below its 47.5 percent average.

"That’s the only time this year we’ve run that defense," Summitt said. "We typically run a 1-1-3 matchup, but they cut so much from the top, we felt like we needed three people on the perimeter to cover their cutters going through.

"We wanted them to take a lot of outside shots. It’s hard to get good solid looks if we’re extending out of (the zone)."

Georgia, which leads the SEC with 40 percent 3-point shooting, made only five of 17 attempts. Taller players like Parker and Nicky Anosike on the perimeter clearly affected the Lady Bulldogs’ shooting.

Parker played inside and outside on both offense and defense. Her stat line reflected her value: 19 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks, three assists, and no turnovers.

"You’re talking about a 6-5 player running the point (a role Parker shared with Zolman)," Summitt said. "Her versatility tonight was the difference for us."

Summitt didn’t minimize the importance of the victory. She told her team beforehand it had to "win out" during the regular season.

"This is the first of four games we have to win," she said. "That was our goal."

Summitt was asked if her team’s three regular-season losses would preclude it getting a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

"No," she said emphatically. "Not with our RPI (ratings percentage index). But we’ve got to win out.

"Do I think we would be worthy (of a No. 1 seed)? Absolutely."

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.