SPOKANE, Wash. - Angie Bjorklund’s homecoming turned out to be a happy occasion Tuesday night.
Tennessee’s sophomore guard, who grew up here and was playing before family and friends, did her part to enhance the occasion, scoring a team-high 14 points. But she had plenty of Lady Vols help in a 77-58 women’s basketball victory over Gonzaga before a crowd of 6,000 at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
Three other Lady Vols scored in double figures. Alyssia Brewer matched Bjorklund with 14 points. Shekinna Stricken and Vicki Baugh each had 12. The eighth-ranked Lady Vols (10-2) built also a 45-30 rebounding advantage with Baugh grabbing a game-high 15.
“All the way down the line, I thought that everyone that came in did a great job,” Bjorklund said.
Gonzaga (11-4) was led by Heather Bowman’s game-high 19 points. The junior forward didn’t have enough help, though, as the Bulldogs couldn’t match Tennessee’s depth and size and suffered accordingly.
“They just stepped up the intensity and we couldn’t go with them,’’ Gonzaga coach Kelly Graves said. “The elite teams do that.”
Tennessee shot 50 percent from the floor (29-for-58) and connected on six of its 14 3-point attempts. Defensively, the Lady Vols gathered 13 steals and held Gonzaga to nine field goals in the second half. Two of those baskets came in the game’s final minute.
“I think that the second half was the first time (this season) we played great basketball on the road,’’ Baugh said. “We didn’t sink to the other team’s level.”
The Lady Vols took their time in getting warmed up. Gonzaga set the early tempo. At one point, the Bulldogs had 10 more shot attempts than the Lady Vols.
The shooting pace enabled them to withstand a 4-for-17 shooting start. They survived on Bowman’s 11 points until her teammates warmed up. A Vivian Frierson basket gave Gonzaga a 23-20 lead with 7:23 left in the first half.
The Lady Vols didn’t record their first takeaway until a Bjorklund steal 9:25 before the break. They had no choice but to match Gonzaga’s scoring pace.
That all changed in a hurry, however. The Lady Vols literally stole the momentum with consecutive steals late in the half. First, Brewer poked the basketball loose in the frontcourt and drove the other way for a layup, beating Gonzaga guard Courtney Vandersloot to the basket. On the ensuing inbounds play, Stricklen swiped the ball and scored a layup in a heartbeat. Just like that UT had a 34-28 lead.
“I think we fed off that,’’ UT coach Pat Summitt said. “Any time you get steals and can convert, it inspires everyone.”
Tennessee added to its advantage as the second half unfolded. After adding another steal, Brewer expanded her repertoire, pulling off the prettiest assist of the night. Double-teamed down low, the freshman forward flipped a no-look, over-the-shoulder pass to a wide-open Baugh for a layup.
“I saw that and I was like ‘geez’ ’’ Bjorklund said. “A lot of people surprised me in this game.”
After getting an eyeful of the Lady Vols, Graves was certain as to who’s the most important.
“Angie Bjorklund is the difference-maker on that team,’’ he said. “They’re a better basketball team when she’s on the floor. I don’t say that just because she’s a local.”
Bjorklund made a difference in this game and the locals responded in gracious fashion, surrounding her afterward.
“How can you pass up on Tennessee?” Graves said. “You want her to go there. That’s where she belongs.
“Would we have loved to have her here? Sure. But how can the Spokane community begrudge her that?”
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Comments » 40
DroopyDrawers writes:
Great game. Go Lady Vols!
Hacksaw57 writes:
Congratulations Ladies and Way To Go Pat!
Only 7 more to 1000!
tenn32rebel writes:
Congrats to our Baby Lady Vols!!! They really played well as a team tonight.
Brewer really stepped up big-time and so did Alicia Manning. Glory struggled the entire game. Now, she needs to re-focus for Rutgers!!!
Onto Rutgers for the nationally televised game on Saturday! That will be a real grudge match.
GO BABY LADY VOLS---OUR FUTURE CHAMPIONS!!!
tums writes:
Great game, I was there. It was excellent.
ravensearay writes:
I like that the LV spread the scoring around. If they continue to do that they will go deep in the field.
xvolx writes:
glory johnson is lacking in something. no basketball moves, can't jump, can't shoot and plays like a thug. maybe she is a legend in her own mind. other players seem to be improving every game. solid defense effort.
tenn32rebel writes:
xvolx writes:
"glory johnson is lacking in something. no basketball moves, can't jump, can't shoot and plays like a thug. maybe she is a legend in her own mind. other players seem to be improving every game. solid defense effort."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sir, your lack of tack is amazing.
Yes, Glory had a bad day but she played after spending her ENTIRE VACATION in the rehab and weight rooms getting her right leg in shape to play. That's committment.
Some of her offensive moves didn't look good today. However, she is still the leading scorer on the Baby Lady Vols team.
She is the best leaper on the team. She jumps center to start the game. I suspect she will dunk the ball, probably on an offensive rebound.
She plays hard, determined, and hustle basketball. The ball is hers, regardless of who has it. Playing tough on defense and rebounding does not equal "plays like a thug."
Pat plays her because of that never-stop-hustle and committment. Truth be known, Glory is probably the same mindset that Pat was at UT-M back in the '70s!!!
GO BABY LADY VOLS---OUR FUTURE CHAMPIONS!!!
MassVol writes:
Have to disagree. She doesn't play like a thug, she just plays aggressive and hard. I don't believe she got one call all night. To her credit, she didn't let it affect her defense.
On another note, Vicki Baugh played lights out. The ladies are looking better every night.
ps11824 writes:
xvolx, how does that big foot of yours taste. Keep on chewing. Perhaps it will keep you from saying something stupid.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Very graceful comments by the Gonzaga coach. The elite teams do that, another nice statement. Giving us that status so early in the season. But I think that we do have a (great)good team, this year. Perhaps better than others I've seen, potentially, even much much better all around. So many can score from all over, who do you know who to guard?
volfanincarolina writes:
I am wondering about Cain, I thought for her size that she would be a dominating figure in the paint. So far this year she has not shown me much. Did not know anything about her in high school and know she was hurt last year. Just wondering cause I feel we do need her to be mean and dominating in the paint. Hopefully she will come around for us in that aspect.
ladivolfan writes:
Cain may prove me wrong by the end of the season, but all I see in her is size. She's slow, can't handle the ball, and where is she on the rebound? Any one that stands a head taller than the others, should be pulling down almost all of the rebounds. Strickland amazes me more each game - steady and dependable and is here for the long haul. Vicki gets better each game and will soon reach her full potential. Glory will recover and be back in full form Saturday. Last night was just a practice run for the thigh. Brianna is going to have to fight harder to stay on the court. For the life of me I don't understand why Pat takes and leaves her out. She does well on the court - much better than anyone else at the point, so the best I can figure is she doesn't follow Pat's instructions.
ladivolfan writes:
Ignore wlvol. Thus far he has made 127 comments and 100% of them have a negative tone. Some folks are just so unhappy it seems they want everyone else to join them.
LadyVolFanForever writes:
I have said all along that Angie was the leader of this team, Vicki would soon shine, Brewer would put it together and show us why Coach Summitt wanted her, Manning will be a contributor and Johnson had to learn to play within herself & be a team player........we are almost there ! Tougher games are ahead so consistency is a must.
Keep the faith fans. Players, let your actions do the talking !!! Go Lady Vols.
chatteastbrainerd writes:
What so many of you are forgetting is that this group of players is melding into a team. Each of these young women was the "go-to" player on her high school team. To see these girls become team players rather than individual stars is an indication of what the coaching staff has been able to do with this great recruiting class. Playing Texas was a great reality check for this team. Saturday's game against Rutgers will be a great indicator of just how much this team has grown in the last month. Playing North Carolina will be the real litmus test. Let's be patient and let Pat prove that she is the best coach in the country--bar none.
xvolx writes:
have to disagree. it's not about the team. it's about her ego. she wasnt hurt in last game. just wanted attention. 6-3 and shoots layups from her face. you eat out of your plate and I'll eat out of mine.
xvolx writes:
where did you come from? you think fox tv and radio get these games for free. these girls pay for their ride. I'll take the heat from anyone, but you sir are an idiot.
xvolx writes:
johnson is not the most solid player on the team. bjorkland is.
allvol9 writes:
You are an idiot!
robvols#366273 writes:
-As a UT Alum living in New Jersey, I am very excited about going to the game vs. Rutgers this Saturday. Go Vols!
KCHS63 writes:
Since you didn't really know ANYTHING about this game, 6,000 is the capacity of Gonzaga's gym. This was the largest crowd in their history. As for finances, maybe expenses were covered out of the $300,000.00 Pat Summitt donated to the program a few months ago. What have you given lately?
ncvol writes:
Lady Vols are getting the job done with injuries, inexperience, and grit...Everything will fall into place as each game comes and goes. I don't think it helps to analysis every move down the floor or every missed basket.Goodness,that's Pat and her assistance's job. They will take care of that...Nice Win,Ladies!
tenn32rebel- right on about Glory
Butchisback- if you hate UT so bad...why post?
wlvol-needs some positive outlook classes
xvolx- does your user-name mean you were a UT fan once?
FullofMonte writes:
Butch you go from football to women's basketball and know nothing about either...get some new cow gel for your mullett. In case you didn't read the news clips...the game was sold out...in October...you must remember that Gonzaga is a small Catholic school not a major state university...St. Joe in Philly has a gym that sits 2,500 and its sold out every game and the Hawks are a major BB power in the Atlantic 10...and by the way I think I know who you are...you hung with the women's soccer team...you were the goal post.
ps11824 writes:
Let me answer several queries here, first off, how many folks venture out in 5 feet of snow to a women's basketball game? I'll take True Fans for $200, Alex. How many fans hang out in a women's basketball site only to bad mouth women's basketball? How about Morons for $300, Alex. Who are the most obnoxious posters known to man? I'll bet the bank on xvolx, butchy & mikey in Double Jeopardy, Alex.
We agree with the cgreer comment. Glory Johnson has the potential of being an College All American. She's out of control at times but that, I believe is in part her desire to out-hussle every other player on the court. She has some awesome moves to the basket which will be perfected as she gains strength and confidence. Baugh is indeed a gutsy player. She too is gaining strenth and confidence. Her media savvy may need polish, however. Pat will get that done or tell her to keep her mouth shut. She speaks far and above some of the posters on this site, especially the afore mentioned.
chatteastbrainerd, great comment. It's nice to hear from you. So refreshing to read a meaningful comment from one who knows basketball. There's been a ton of stuff implemented in practice. I'd venture to say these high school superstars never dreamed it would be this tough. Pat is thinking post season every single practice session. She's willing to suffer some season losses to have them ready for conference play. When it finally soaks in, this team will be ready to play solid 40-minute basketball.
xvolx writes:
no, it means you failed calculus.
AlpharettaVol writes:
Don't forget Stricklen. She seems to be progressing faster than any of the freshmen so far. What she did in OT against Stanford showed a maturity far beyond her years.
sgtvols writes:
why is an "xvol" still following the vols? seems he/she/it needs to be a current something. i prefer to spend my energy being FOR something rather than AGAINST something. 8 world champions and closing in on 1000 wins, and it's a terrible program?
mississippi writes:
Butchie is a ucant supporter who comes on the thread to get us upset.Butchie get a life
ncvol writes:
I know that x= an unknown variable and it is definitely unknown if you are a vol fan. But, I don't want to trade insults...
I want to cheer for the L.Vols. How about you? Go Vols!
ps11824 writes:
Alpharetta, good point, Stricklen had the best stat line for sure. She's getting it done as far as getting the ball to the right people also. I'm looking at Bass' assist to turnover ratio — not so good. She seems to be struggling with her passes. Of course her height is an obvious factor there that she cannot overcome, but she must find a way to counter the way she is being defended. She seems to have a pretty good handle and she's quick but she's not using the bounce pass effectively and she's making herself small by not doing so. I'm thinking Pat is looking ahead to teams using bigger guards to defend her, therefore she's experimenting with Manning and Stricklen to run the offense in such scenarios. Stricklen is bigger and stronger, more of a Hornbuckle-type guard who will play a key roll in this team's run in conference play.
I won't go so far to say I'm disappointed in Alex and Kelly, but I am anxiously awaiting the day they will contribute major minutes. Fuller shows no tenacity in her game. I just don't see any consistency, have not since day one. Yes, she's had some big games, the dePaul game when CP3 was sidelined last season for instance.
Cain on the other hand, I want to believe it's just a matter of time until she gets past the injury paranoia syndrome. She's a big body. The trauma, I'm certain was horrific. I cannot speak from personal experience but I would imagine the thought of impending pain that one wrong move could cause. For the team's sake, Cain has to regain her strength and confidence in order to live up to her expectations. I'm sure she wants that more than we do. I wish her the best in that respect.
As ncvol so aptly stated, with all the injuries and the overall youth of this team plus the inexperience and limited strengths of those returning, the Baby Vols are holding there own. The Virginia game was pretty much a throwaway, albeit it would have been nice to beat a ranked team so early in the schedule, I feel like Pat let that game slide as a huge lesson to the preemies. The Texas game was a beat-down for sure, again early on. Pat is using some serious coaching strategies this season. I'm confident it will pay huge dividends in post season. We must remember where Pat Summitt is in her tenure. She's earned the right to employ some creative approaches to the game. Her epitaph is etched in stone already. She's going out on top regardless of any castigation one season may bring. She is one brave, impeccable ball coach.
topgun writes:
Great Post 98. Amen to all you said. Negative posters are a real pain. Watched the game on TV. LVs looked good.
Happy New Year.
xvolx writes:
that's fine with me and when I see johnson playing as a team member, I'll be the first to point it out.
PureOrange writes:
Sometimes I am really embarrassed by some of the comments such as this one.
The Lady Vols have been the most consistent winners of all the sports at Tennessee. Pat Summitt, along with her Lady Vols have given our university, and state, more good publicity than all the others combined. If you don't like women's bb, then don't watch it, but I would prefer you keep such ridiculous comments to yourself.
I love to watch our Lady Vols and I am very proud of them.
PureOrange writes:
I was very impressed by the effort of the Lady Vols against Gonzaga.
The passing was much better. The effort was better. And the defense was much more mobile.
The Lady Vols are young, but it is great to see how Pat and staff are molding this team.
If the team on the floor last night had been on the floor against Virginia and Texas, we would be undefeated. They have really improved with each game. I hope they will give it all they have against Rutgers. We have to win that one.
Go Lady Vols!
mississippi writes:
I agree
ps11824 writes:
Well, jh, we don't HAVE to win against Rutgers. After all, Rutgers is not the be all - end all for our season. As coach would say "it is the game at hand, we need to put ourselves in position to win." It would be a good win, another confidence builder, another positive step of the journey, but it would not be a season ending loss. Simply a loss and we certainly don't play to lose. We have the talent to win every game. Pat will do her part. If each and every player on our team will bring their own best effort, we will win. The clock will most likely be a non-issue this time. We set ourselves up to lose last season when the clock became The News. We came away with a very controversial victory; we won't be that lucky again.
mississippi writes:
I actually thought that little "it" mikey had gotten a little sense,Well that what i get for thinking
ps11824 writes:
HAPPY NEW YEAR, LV fans!!!!!!!!!!! You too, mikey, butchy and xvolx
You guys are a refreshing break from the mundane. Hope you are around for a long, awesome season.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Cain will improve. I think the knee is still bothering her some. She will need to get in shape though to keep up with the rest of team's speed.
Good Job Lady Vols.. I can see a championship team down the road.. Keep it up!!
rooski1 writes:
To catch up to someone means that you must be behind or trailing them in some category. So what is that category that Pat trails Geno in? Wins? No! NCAA titles? No! Chanpionship games? No! Final Four appearances? No! NCAA invitations? No! The only things I can think of are NCAA rules violation investigations and #1 overall player refusing to play. Help me out little Mikey. What is it that she is catching up to?
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