One player’s misfortune turned out to be another’s opportunity Tuesday night.
With Tennessee’s Kelley Cain sidelined with a concussion, sophomore post player Alyssia Brewer responded with a career-high 23 points in a 93-53 women’s basketball victory over George Washington.
“Very proud of Lyssi,’’ Lady Vols sophomore forward Glory Johnson said.
No. 6 Tennessee (6-0) had to be relieved as well that the 6-foot-3 Brewer converted 11 of 15 field-goal attempts and also grabbed seven rebounds before a crowd of 12,840 at Thompson-Boling Arena that included former Lady Vols star Candace Parker and her baby daughter, Lailaa.
Cain’s absence magnified the lack of depth in UT’s post game. The 6-foot-6 center joined an imposing cheering section on the team bench that already included 6-4 Vicki Baugh (knee), 6-3 Faith Dupree (back) and 6-1 Amber Gray (shoulder, brain surgery).
Brewer recalled how the circumstances were similar in last season’s NCAA first-round tournament game against Ball State. Cain went out in the first half with a knee injury and Brewer’s scoring response was rather feeble by comparison — four points in a stunning 71-55 loss.
“When Kelley went out, I knew I had to step up,’’ Brewer said. “Last year it was the same scenario against Ball State and I didn’t step up like I needed to.”
As Brewer was piling up her points, UT coach Pat Summitt joked that “I had to take a look to see who that was out there.”
The coach was more serious in praising a player who has been a frequent target of her criticism.
“She did a great job of posting up and using the glass offensively,’’ Summitt said. “She was begging for the ball. If we can rely on that, along with Kelley and Glory and Taber (Spani) doing some good things in the mix, I feel better about our post game.”
There was no official word on Cain’s availability for Sunday’s game against No. 17 Texas, but Summitt said, “The coach expects her to play against Texas.”
Along with Brewer, guard Shekinna Stricklen scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in bouncing back from a sub-par effort against UCLA on Saturday. Johnson also had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Guard Kay-Kay Allums scored a team-high 16 points for George Washington (2-4).
Brewer got started with a nice entry pass from Alicia Manning, who recorded one of her career-high six assists in setting up her teammate for a layup. Brewer’s next basket was a reward for running the floor. She beat the defense to the rim and Stricklen fed her for another layup.
A hustling steal by Stricklen was a prelude to Brewer pulling off one of the top highlights: a spinning bank shot and a conventional 3-point play after a foul, giving UT a 36-18 lead.
“It’s all in my hands if I carry it over or not,’’ Brewer said of her performance. “I plan on doing that but I need to stay consistent.”
Brewer scored 14 points in the second half, taking advantage of the 14 playing minutes the rout afforded her after halftime.
“They lose a player (Cain) and replace her with another high school All-American,’’ George Washington coach Mike Bozeman said. “That is tough. It is tough. Brewer had a great game.”
Brewer’s McDonald’s All-American days in Sapulpa, Okla., often have seemed like days gone by as she struggled with the daily demands of Tennessee’s program. She was suspended for a Nov. 17 game against Texas Tech for a violation of team policy.
Her play ought to provide a welcome boost.
“I think she needed this game,’’ Johnson said. “Watching her struggling in practice and even sometimes she does good things in practice and dwells on the negatives. I think having a great game will boost her confidence.”
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 16
huntined#565710 writes:
They sure are looking better then they did last year..
chaos001 writes:
looks like Pat lit a fire under their butts!
GLV!
AllforTenn writes:
Brewer stepped up big. Good to see them hustle and play hard although they knew that they outclassed their opponent.
Too bad Mickey Dearstone can't do the TV broadcast. Kesling even called Smallbone "Smallwood" the entire first half. He is inadequate in football and men's basketball, too. I can hardly stand his squealing football broadcasts. Thank goodness most all football is on TV now, and most of the Lady Vols will be too, but some of the Lady Vols' TV will be stuck with Kesling. Just my opinion, but apparently it is shared by quite a few others.
CTOWNICON writes:
If Brewer could bring that effort every game it would be awesome. She has good skills around the basket. I think Brewer just earned herself a little more playing time. It was good to see them driving to the basket instead of settling for the jumpshots. It is good to see them smiling again and having fun. I was happy to see the second string get some playing time. They played really well.
Next up Texas, more of a tougher opponent. This will be a good test for the lady vols. Texas, despite being killed by Uconn is still a pretty good team. They were just intimidated by Uconn and played like they had already lost the game from the start of it. So if the lady vols come with good effort and run their offense and play tough defense, they should rack up another victory.
CTOWNICON writes:
It was good to see Parker and the baby and Kara Lawson in the house. I heard them mention Zolman but I did not see her. Always happy to see the formers come back and support.
LdyVolFaninKS writes:
Can't look too much into this game. GW is a terrible team with very little talent on the floor with 2 starters out with injuries. The best positive out of this game is that hopefully Brewer has some confidence in herself.
xvolx writes:
No measuring stick here. GW not much of a team. Bass is no Bobbit. Outside shooting still not too good. Manning is the most improved player on the team. To be very successful this year, the team needs a healthy Baugh. Brewer did well, but needs to show something against better talent. Williams got chewed out for not rebounding.
ladivolfan writes:
well said, xvolx
BigRMan writes:
Brewer's contribution was welcomed and will pay dividends over the long run for her confidence. Each member of this team has grown considerably in harnessing their abilities and displaying an understanding of team concept. It's evident all team members are taking ownership in the final product on the court. I'm not sure how far this team will go this year, but surely further than last year. It will be and is proving to be a group UT LV supporters can be proud.
AlpharettaVol writes:
Once again, Angie became invisible for most of the game. How can a player with so talent/hype fail to perform so much of the time? Her ability as a three-point shooter is negated by her inability to catch and shoot. By the time she sets up she has a hand in her face. Her experience is going to be desperately needed when the LVs get into the meat of their schedule. Let's hope she can step up.
BeRealistic writes:
I agree. Keisling is not a play-by-play man period. He will probably be there as long as John Ward was. I wonder if Dearstone can do football?
richvol writes:
This game is what Brewer has been capable of all along. When she is determined and pushes herself she has enough skill to be all-SEC. If she gets in better shape to run the floor hard for 30 minutes she could be an all-american. Great job,just keep it up.
Glory was really good last night. It's obvious she has worked hard to improve her skill set as she is playing under control and very determined. What a great athlete she is. She is head and shoulders above the other players on the floor in her energy and fight.
I am beginning to see what all the fuss was over with Taber Spani. She is a smart player with a strong body to match and really hustles on every play. She doesn't look like a freshman and shows leadership already. Very nice touch around the basket.
I am beginning to see the formation of a dynamic team of talented players with Johnson,Spani,Stricklen,Brewer,Cain,Baugh and Williams. Angie is good at times and completely off at others. Manning is showing some ability to be an effective player...she makes great passes and just needs to work on her shot to be consistent.
After last year I had doubts that these ladies could be a really good team but now I am beginning to believe they can be better than good.
richvol writes:
I'm with you...I can't stand to listen to him.
shipperman#280095 writes:
The game last night was exciting. Bob Kessling is about as exciting, and annoying as fingernails on a chalkboard
golfin_blondie writes:
I agree the whole team looked a lot better last nite than they did against UCLA. You do have to wonder was it improvement or talent of the other team. This weekend will tell the story...Texas is always a tough game and they are well coached. Congras to Brewer and Spani.. I see another big name player. Perhaps topping Parker. She is a good looking player.
KCHS63 writes:
Wow! Some of these comments! Gotta wonder how negative some fans would be if we only beat UConn by ten. Lordamercy, some of these posters would tear these young ladies' heads off! Ouch!
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