Photo by Mel Evans
Rutger's Brittany Ray (35) and Epiphanny Prince (10) grab at a rebound with Tennessee's Glory Johnson (25) during the first half of the game Saturday in Piscataway, N.J.
Photo by Mel Evans
Tennessee's Briana Bass (1) blocks the path of Rutgers' Brittany Ray during the second half of the basketball game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, in Piscataway, N.J. Tennessee won 55-51. Ray had 14 in the loss.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Since Tennessee's record book already had been trashed, the Lady Vols figured one more rewrite couldn't hurt.
"You know what,'' said guard Angie Bjorklund, recalling a halftime thought, "it doesn't matter how much we're down. It's a zero-zero game. That's what we always say."
They never meant it like they did Saturday afternoon. No Lady Vols ever have.
Bjorklund and Co. overcame the biggest halftime deficit in program history with the greatest comeback, climbing out of a 20-point grand canyon for a 55-51 women's basketball victory over Rutgers before a stunned crowd of 8,079 at the Louis Brown Athletic Center.
In trailing 33-13 at the break, No. 8 Tennessee (11-2) also set a team low for first-half points. The Lady Vols didn't reach double figures until the final minutes.
Add in 15 first-half turnovers - seven in succession and 11 on the first 14 possessions - and not scoring for the first 8 minutes, 13 seconds and UT's start was a total disaster. That made the finish even more impressive, not to mention unlikely.
"We've had a lot of comebacks; this one right now stands out as one of the most special ever,'' said UT coach Pat Summitt, who recalled a 17-point rally in the second half of a 1996 NCAA regional final at Virginia. "This group will get in the record book."
Freshman guard Shekinna Stricklen had team highs for points (16) and rebounds (11). Thirteen of her points and six rebounds came in the second half.
Bjorklund was more of late bloomer, scoring all of her 12 points after halftime. Her jumper with 1:28 left, which was set up by a deft crosscourt pass from forward Alyssia Brewer, gave Tennessee its first lead (51-49) along with the lead for good.
"(Stricklen's) and Angie's (baskets) were game changers, every single one of them,'' Brewer said.
Glory Johnson (nine points and eight rebounds) and Brewer (eight points and seven rebounds), meanwhile, helped cover for the absence of starting forward Vicki Baugh, who was out with a knee injury.
"It's all about players making plays and a commitment,'' said Summitt, who won her 994th career game.
While the Lady Vols were jubilant, No. 15 Rutgers (8-3) was understandably crestfallen after leading by as many as 23 points in the first half and savaging UT on both ends of the court.
"I thought we were crazy mad in the first half,'' Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer said. "In the second half, we played not to lose."
The Scarlet Knights thought that their big advantage gave them a false sense of security.
"I think we got too relaxed with our lead,'' said guard Epiphanny Prince, who scored a game-high 25 points. "I guess we figured our defense would keep our lead. We didn't stop them from scoring."
The CBS national broadcast showed a calm Summitt talking to her team at halftime. Apparently the camera didn't capture her mood, so much so that she joked: "Oh good. Thank you CBS. I might never get another recruit.''
She raged about UT's first-half meltdown and rebuked Bjorklund for having only one shot attempt. Her parting thought actually was a threat.
"You don't want to go home with me tonight having played this way,'' she said. "You better at least show up and play with some Tennessee pride. And they did."
First, the Lady Vols used a combination of zone defensive alignments to slow down Rutgers. Prince, who had 16 first-half points, said that she became too passive.
"I think it confused them on what to do on the offensive end at first,'' Stricklen said.
On offense, freshman point guard Briana Bass, who got a quick hook in the first half, pushed the basketball up the floor and helped get UT into an attack mode. The team that literally didn't have a shot for nearly five minutes in the first half started knocking them down, hitting at a 51.9 percent clip (14-for-27) in the second half. Stricklen hit consecutive 3-pointers to pull UT within 40-32 with 11:56 left.
While Tennessee finished strong, Rutgers scored just two points in the final six minutes. On consecutive possessions, center Kia Vaughn missed the front end of one-and-one free throw opportunities. Inside the final half-minute, she missed a contested shot from close range that would've tied the score.
Bjorklund was fouled on the ensuing inbounds play and capped the comeback with two free throws with 14 seconds left.
"We came together and thought we could get this done,'' Bjorklund said. "It was one possession after another."
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 95
gohawks1 writes:
Great comeback, ladies. Keep it rollin'.
Hacksaw57 writes:
WHAT A COMEBACK!
GREAT road win for our Lady Vols! Kind of looked dim there to begin with but Pat straightened things out a half time. I don't know how we can looks so bad in the first half and then come back and pull a win out of the way we played. Resilience and fortitutude pulled this one out.
Those 2 announcers had us dead and buried. They had a whole lot to say when we were down during the first half. They didn’t say very much at the end of the game when our Lady Vols pulled it out with a great win. Their jealousy of Pat is sickening and they can’t STAND it when she wins.
Way To Go Lady Vols and Way To Go Pat!
994 WITH 6 TO GO!
ladivolfan writes:
WHEW!
PureOrange writes:
This one was unbelievable. The first half was nothing short of a nightmare. It is hard to even imagine a Tennessee team playing as poorly as they played in every phase of the game in the first half, but the second half was Tennessee basketball.
Coach Summitt showed the nation why she is the very best with on one a close second. These young players could have laid down and quit, but their coach would not let them.
This game will go a long way in determining the success for the rest of the season.
I have never been more proud of the Lady Vols.
Great game, Ladies. Enjoy and keep it up!
lildevils7 writes:
AWESOME!!!!Great job ladies....Pat you are the women!!!
morenoble writes:
We have a least one BB coach in town!
BioProf writes:
Wow! This team just keeps getting better and better!
mtownvol writes:
What a halftime speech that must have been!
bpvol#216873 writes:
What a win.....
This could be a season changing win....nothing helps gel a team more than this kind of victory.....
And the young LV's have been looking for an identity.....
All without V. Baugh, teams leading rebounder
Time will tell....but what a win
jr2miles writes:
Way to go ladies! This game was won from determination, I can't believe we pull this one off. Rutgers kept the door open and the ladies close it. This was one of the best comeback I have every seen from a lady vol basketball team. Go Vols!!!!!!!
gohawks1 writes:
Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall...
ladyvolsbballluver writes:
one great comeback!!
never count out the lady vols
they are GREAT!!
keep on rocking lady vols!!
LadyVolFanForever writes:
WOW, what an effort the second half, they simply refused to lose!!!
I am so proud but please that type of game is really bad for my blood pressure !
SEC starts Thursday, GO LADY VOLS !!!
CrankE writes:
Maybe they could add a few seconds to the clock?
I didn't see this game, but the description alone is stupefying. Trailing by 20 at the half, on the road, to Rutgers, only 13 points scored, to roar back and win by 4. Whoa!
Vivian Stringer's woes continue.
fortandrews writes:
We learn ONLY through our mistakes. The Lady's got a lession today that will serve them well during the rest of the season. Again Pat thanks for getting them back on track. Don't let them EVER forget today - January 3, 2009.
Hacksaw57 writes:
I whole heatedly agree with your response.
we have TWO EXCELLENT basketball coaches at UT and are very fortunate to have them.
civilianvol_formerly_marinevol writes:
???
hawkvol07 writes:
WOW, WOW and WOW. What can you say. This is a Summit team no doubt about it. How can you not support and enjoy a team like this. To think we got them for 3 to 4 years and more to come. Just watch the Master Pat Summit at work and you will see wonders!! Go Lady Vols!!
scladyvol writes:
WAY TO GO LADY VOLS! What a great game. Could we have just seen "Coach of the Year" no matter what they said at halftime?! Can anyone please tell me what is going on with Cait? I think it is her knee but just wondering.
volfan#207874 writes:
Wow! What a comeback! Makes an old geezer proud to call the Lady Vols "my" team. Guess, for this one game, they could be called the "Cardiac Kids." Anyway you want to slice it...Pat and the LV's are # 1 in our hearts. Let's take this hard fought win and continue to build on it. Another banner hanged high in TB sure would look great! Step aside Jell-O Ornery Enema, there's a new bunch of kids on the block and they proudly wear the orange of TENNESSEE! Go Vols!
dopedawg writes:
awwwww come on!!!!!! So the baby boys lost. They will get better. A few poor choices. Almost made a good comeback. We are lucky to have CBP!!!!
MassVol writes:
Classy post Mike. Hope the two teams meet up at the NC game as well. Good luck.
LdyVolFaninKS writes:
OMG...that was almost really embarrassing! Our freshmen showed great composure in the 2nd half. We need to figure out how to put together a 40 minute game. Thank God we have the best coach in the country to out coach the opposition. Unfortunately, if this was UConn, we would have lost by 40. Rutger's infamous "55" showed up again...only this time it was against them!
chatteastbrainerd writes:
Growing pains! This kind of game is a great experience for these young Lady Vols. Their resilience was evident when they came out of the locker room. Our best players stepped up at the end and refused to accept defeat! This team is developing character that will serve it well as these freshmen and sophomores begin SEC play and prepare for Oklahoma and Duke. Go Lady Vols! All the way to St. Louis!
vut56#231073 writes:
Well, I guess we showed those "Carefully Coiffed" nice young ladies in scarlett; Viv doesn't have much to whine about, today.
Great comeback; great poise. It is hard to grasp what it takes to keep composed, play your best and do whatever it takes to win...after a journey such as the LVs have been on.
They done good!
mississippi writes:
Now that's the truth about my blood pressure as well
SummittsCourt writes:
Remember 2 years ago when the Lady Vols fell behind Duke 19-0 in the first half and came back to take the lead in the second half, but still lost.
Well, very similar except this years team won.
4 freshmen and a sophmore? Incredible!
VOLS19 writes:
I would certainly liked to have been a "fly on the wall" in the locker room at halftime. I can just imagine Pat's halftime motivation speech. Perhaps, if taped, it should be put on YOUTUBE or GOVOLS.COM. Pat, you're the coach, and what a coach, but to the Lady Vols, great job, thanks for not quiting, and please, keep up the fine job you are doing. You are representing the University of Tennessee with great pride and honor. and keep up the fine work. Angie, keep providing that leadership. GO LADY VOLS. !
givehim6 writes:
Once again the Ladys areUT's flag ship in sports. Great come back, great win! Go Lady Vols!
ncvol writes:
Which town are you referring to? I know it can't be K-town. GO VOLS!
ncvol writes:
Well the ladies pulled that one out of a silk hat because it had a lot of magic after half-time.
Mike_From_Connecticut: That was nice! We are so accustomed to the hostile remarks coming from the UConn fans but this was refreshing.
Go Vols!
DroopyDrawers writes:
I agree. Mike is class.
blitzshoot writes:
Good job Coach Summit. Nice adjustments. Could have used you in Kansas today. Good win ladys. Great second half hustle.
ps11824 writes:
Hacksaw57 stated at 4:31 PM
[ Those 2 announcers had us dead and buried. They had a whole lot to say when we were down during the first half. They didn’t say very much at the end of the game when our Lady Vols pulled it out with a great win. Their jealousy of Pat is sickening and they can’t STAND it when she wins. ]
Hacksaw, those 2 whiners, Beth & Bethier, made me nauseous before tipoff. Add to that nausea the fact that our Babies could not recognize a ball or a basket, simply made me a basket case.
I was well on my way to the bottom of the barrel after watching Griesogeno vs LSU. The Huskies are so good it's sickening. Van's Tigers aren't so bad either. I was hoping Coach Chancellor could stage a big upset.
But I could not bear to watch nor listen to our game on CBS. When those two began their so-called commentary I went to mute mode. Radio was not much better. Mickey Dearstone sounded as frustrated as I felt. I had very little hope for the Baby Vols. They just seemed totally out of sync. I should never, ever doubt Pat Summitt's ability to coach a team back from the dead. She coached an awesome 2nd half. This win should give our team a lot of confidence.
Jenny, please get Baugh better. Cain is so far behind. We need Vickie against the Kitty Kats next week.
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
Thanks, Mike! Good luck to your Lady Huskies. Let's hope we meet in the National Championship (and we win). :-)
topgun writes:
Who wrote this article?? When are these people going to move on about the "clock" thing. Eleventh paragraph, "after the final buzzer should have sounded"???? Says who?? Rutgers fans?? Goes to prove that if you repeat a lie often enough, people start believing it (and printing it over and over--twlight zone stuff.)
Everyone in a position to know--the officiating crew, which includes the timekeeper--what happened about the "clock" has stated it was a proper, accurate call. "Nicky Anosike" was mauled with exactly .8 seconds to go--the ref blew the whistle--the clock stopped, foul shots were made, and the rest is LV history. The game is 40.00 minutes, not 39:59.2. Period. Maybe after tonight, they will want the game to be only 20 minutes.
But, this game was obviously night and day between the rwo halves. The TV play-by-play and the half-time announcers were stunned and had to eat a little crow by the time the game ended.
What a glorious comeback--at RAC!! Way to go, Lady VOLS.
Every one get your tickets for Vandy, 11 Jan 09 !!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Dang!
Pat S still bringing it. What an azz chewin' that must have been.
Beast writes:
Way to go ladies!
SFOrange writes:
Another example of a incredible coach that MAKES her Lady Vol teams believe---always. Go Vols.
amcguire01 writes:
cbs showed some of the halftime speech,and pat called out angie in national tv. she said "how can you put on a show in spokane, and be a no show here?" angie simply nodded in agreement, went out there in the 2nd half and started launching daggers. i love these kids, they dont get offended, and just pick it up and respond on the court!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
agreed, how quickly some of these idiots who keep coming out of the woodwork turn on a coach whenever the team loses like beating a Kansas at their place should be like a walk in the park---unreasonable expectations by too many over a clearly overated mens team but not blaming BP
allvol9 writes:
Nice post Mike. I guess it is as hard for you to pull for UT as it is for me to pull for UConn....obviously Rutgers is a big rival for you. This has to have been one of the most exciting games I have watched. Pat Summitt....you are amazing and what can you say about all of our freshman...unbelievable. Again nice post and Go Vols!
calvolfromkingsport writes:
Glory, Glory, halelealuah! What an amazing talented young woman. Bjorkland's pretty darn good too! I turned to watch the ladies instead of the men on this day.
BillsBrother writes:
I loved Pat's quote, "We had a one way conversation"!
I still think she could have taught our football team a thing or two!
AlpharettaVol writes:
After her performance in the Stanford OT and her money performance today when the chips were down, Stricklen has become the "go to" player on this team. Who cares if she is a freshman? She steps up when needed. Other freshmen, please take note.
yeavols#228407 writes:
I am the first to say that I don't support the Lady Vols enough. They are tried and proven over and over. It's not because I don't like them, I love them. I know they are champions and that has made me complacent. I turn away from the Lady Vols and follow the men's team. I struggle every year with the question: " Why can't the men's team be champions no matter if it's basketball or football?" I keep watching our men's team every year hoping that something can turn around and we can be champions, too like the Lady Vols. But, the Lady Vols continue to overshadow the men's teams. Jealous? Maybe. Envious? probably. But everyone is a VOL...Maybe I am over analyzing. Maybe I am just biased. But for once, I wished our men played like a LADY one time. It might make us champions all the way around.
gohawks1 writes:
I think she could have PLAYED ON our football team for a game or two. Remind me to never get on her bad side.
mississippi writes:
Mike, thank you for once again a cordial thread.Please keep it up
chatteastbrainerd writes:
The men Vols would be a totally different team if Pat were coaching them. It's too bad that she didn't accept the offer to coach the men's team during those god-awful years when Vols had no basketball acumen whatsoever and had no idea how to spell acumen.
yeavols#228407 writes:
I agree to a certain extent. However, men are much more individualists and showcase their athleticism individually. Women operate and cooperate in a a group. It's like men asking for directions: they won't ask and try to find their own way. Women do ask and get the answers. Pat Summitt would have had a hard time coaching men. They wouldn't buy into her philosophy and would go their own way. I am not a psychoanalyst, but it's quite obvious watching from both sides of the game. It's something that a coach might consider and come up with an answer..If I was coaching a men's team that is.
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