Brooke Johnson at home against Lady Vols

It seemed like old times for Western Carolina University's Brooke Johnson against Tennessee in the first half Tuesday night.

The 6-foot-4 Johnson flipped in points from every nook and cranny of Thompson-Boling Arena, cleared rebounds, swatted away shots - a veritable stat-sheet stuffer, just like when she was back at Seymour High School.

Despite Johnson's final numbers, which included 12 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots, Tennessee's ability to run in a steady stream of athletic basketball players prevailed in a 83-56 thumping.

Despite 10 points, four rebounds and four blocks by Johnson in just 14 minutes of action in the first half, Western Carolina trailed 49-26 at the break as the Lady Vols continually exploited their ability to get to the rim.

Long and lean UT outscored the Lady Catamounts 38-14 inside and took over on the boards in the second half. Western Carolina had no player taller than 6-feet besides Johnson.

Tennessee closed the first half with a 21-7 run to pull away.

"One reason we went into that dry spell was their length and their quickness," said Lady Catamounts coach Kellie (Jolly) Harper, who played on three national championship teams at Tennessee from 1996-98.

"They're so athletic. They take you out of your comfort zone defensively."

Johnson, playing with a brace on her surgically repaired left knee, slowed down after her strong first half. The preseason All-Southern Conference selection tore her anterior cruciate ligament almost a year ago against Chattanooga.

"I got tired, but it wasn't just my knee," said Johnson, who said she's about "85 percent" recovered.

Her coach begged to differ.

"I'm gonna go with 80 (percent)," said Harper. "Nothing against Brooke, (but) where she was at this point last year she was phenomenal - she'll get there."

Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said Johnson's certainly the type of player who could suit up for the Lady Vols.

"She's solid," said Summitt.

"After watching (tape of) her against North Carolina, she has a toughness to her. She's hard-nosed, tough-minded and skilled. She's very, very competitive. I knew she would be a player that would help them in a lot of ways."

The Lady Catamounts made a much better showing than their last visit to Thompson-Boling - a 94-43 shellacking in the first round of the 2005 NCAA tournament's first round.

Summitt said it's apparent that her former star point guard has Western Carolina on the right track - and she couldn't be prouder.

"It's always great to have them (former players) back," said Summitt. "Kellie and I have stayed in touch. She did a great job and she's excited about this team. In talking to her, she said 'I love my team.' They respond well to her.

"She's a great coach and inspires her players, not just on the court but in the classroom. She's a great role model. She was obviously a player here that left a mark on our program. She's special."