Alicia Manning was on target in more ways than one Thursday night.
First, the Tennessee freshman guard swished all three of her 3-point attempts. Then she nailed the mood created by Tennessee’s 69-64 victory over Kentucky.
“It’s a whole new season now,’’ she said.
The Lady Vols’ SEC opener sure felt that way as it played out through 10 ties and 14 lead changes before a nervous crowd of 12,640 at Thompson-Boling Arena. UT was hard pressed to overcome a team it had beaten in 27 of the last 28 meetings.
“I was going to put everything I had out there,’’ UT forward Glory Johnson said, “to ensure that we were not going to lose.”
In her case, that meant literally putting herself on the court and wrestling for the basketball with Kentucky’s Victoria Dunlap. She also contributed three points to a decisive 10-point scoring run that wiped out a 58-54 deficit in the final five minutes.
Johnson and Manning were two of four double-figure scorers for No. 7 Tennessee (12-2), scoring 14 and 13 points respectively. Fellow freshman Shekinna Stricklen led the way with 18 points while Alex Fuller added 10.
Kentucky (10-6) got a glimpse at its first win in Knoxville since 1985 largely on the strength of a season-high eight 3-pointers. The Wildcats, who were shooting 27.2 percent from behind the arc, shot 57.1 percent (8 for 14) from long range against UT.
Carly Morrow hit four 3-pointer in scoring a team-high 16 points, nearly 10 points above her per-game season average. Reserve Brittany Edelen, who was averaging 4.4 points per game, added 13 points. Amber Smith scored 12.
It was the short-range shots that ultimately doomed the Wildcats’ chances. They missed four driving attempts down the stretch. At least two shots reached the rim before rolling off.
“It was pretty obvious it wasn’t a lack of effort, it was a lack of execution,’’ Kentucky coach Matthew Mitchell said. “In this league, you don’t get a lot of medals for trying.”
UT coach Pat Summitt’s postgame review was harsh concerning her team’s perimeter defense as well as the performance of sophomore guard Angie Bjorklund, who shot 2 for 14 from the floor.
But Summitt also gave credit where it was due.
“I though Alex Fuller had her best game of the year so far,’’ Summitt said.
The senior forward scored one of Thursday’s biggest baskets, giving UT the lead for good on a layup with 3:18 left. The basket came after Fuller’s rebound, part of the Lady Vols’ 22-10 edge in offensive rebounds and 43-30 overall rebounding edge.
“Rebounding is very big and that is one thing that Coach always stays on us about,’’ Stricklen said. “Rebounding really wins games.”
Manning was recognized for her play at both ends, which included a season-high scoring performance.
“I’m gaining a lot confidence in what she brings to the team,’’ Summitt said. “As a defender, she’s quicker, rangier and more athletic. When we want to go with a bigger lineup, she’s our best choice off the bench.”
As a shooter, Manning stood out for the 3-pointer she swished with 1:59 left and UT clinging to a 61-58 lead.
Stricklen and Johnson combined to hit 14 of 15 free throw attempts as Tennessee was steadier at the line, converted 19 of 25 (76 percent).
“I told our players when you have Pratt Pavilion, you have to invest in free throw shooting,’’ Summitt said. “It’s not just a commitment to yourself but to the team. A number of players took us up on that and it showed tonight.”
Notebook: Lady Vols forward Vicki Baugh (knee sprain) and guard Cait McMahan (sore knee) both sat out the game.
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Comments » 25
movol53 writes:
Why didn't Vicki Baugh play?
Boy, what an ugly win.
utmdm writes:
An earlier story said she had a knee sprain and would not be playing.
cobbwebb writes:
a win is a win! ill take it, coach summit will keep working these girls, and by march will be a well oiled machine! maybe not national championship material this year, but imo they can be a major player in the big dance! GO LADY VOLS!!!!
givehim6 writes:
The 1 Vol team that be counted on for 08-09.
KCHS63 writes:
Knee sprain. She's probable at Vandy Sunday. Welcome to the Lady Vols' "The Year of Living Dangerously" (with seven freshmen!
98reax writes:
I love those ugly wins. I can't watch nor listen to them, but I can live with a W. Bj was rather quiet tonight. Brewer stepped up. I like her. Manning stepped up. What happened to Bass? She has a very flat stat line.
I had a hunch Matt Mitchell would have a plan. He read us like a cheap novel and covered the scouting report like he'd seen us before ( : Nicely coached game. What kind of reception did Kyra get at TBA?
I'd love to hear from some folks who were in the arena tonight.
xvolx writes:
ugly win. bjorkland must still be at gonzaga. she never showed up for game. bass gets exploited by taller guards. manning showing some signs of life. cain not able. too bad we don't have five stricklands.
oldvolsfan writes:
what rock have you been under
lewhs93#205993 writes:
We are a spoiled group.Give a little credit to Ky.for playing above their normal level.I'll admit this young group makes it rough on an old mans heart.Ladies please give us a blowout now and then.GO LADY VOLS
LadyVolFanForever writes:
KY did play a great game but we managed to win. It was not pretty but we found a way to win. Angie was shutdown by KY and she had an off night BUT others stepped up. Fuller was huge, Strick has huge, Johnson played her best game of the season (glad you practiced those free throws), Manning was great. This is what basketball is all about, you step up when needed. These freshmen are still learning but you can see the effort and improvement in most of them, that is all we can expect.
Vandy will be a real challenge so get ready Lady Vols. Go Lady Vols !
And yes 98reax, we gave Kyra a warm welcome back.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Agreed. We are going to get everyone's best shot. Our youth makes everybody think that 1) the LV's might be more vulnerable now than in the past and 2) if they don't get us now, when will they(;-P)! Just be sure to keep up with your meds and enjoy the wild ride! (A little friendly advice from another old geezer.(;-D))
ncvol writes:
That goodness we took this one...I felt like I was on a roller coaster...up and down the court and all the lead changes...Keep up the good work,ladies and continue playing with a lot of passion and heart....
Go L. Vols!
sgtvols writes:
wish i knew what was going on with angie. she's either super star or stay on the bus.
98reax writes:
Not a lot of coverage here for the ladies' first SEC win. This always gets my goat when I allow such a nuisance as the flimsy reporting of Lady Vols games to irritate me, as if I think it will ever be equal. One might be quick to say, "Oh, we get our share." Our share, maybe. Perhaps our share is miniscule. After all, how many D1 college teams can claim EIGHT national titles?
Consequently, the one bright spot, the comments on this thread. These are far more informative and more adequately cover the game and the event than the KNS article proper. Are you listening, Dan Fleser? Often times the article reads as simply a 'token piece' report. I realize sports reporters are busying their little fingers with the monotonous takes on the national championship in Miami. How many ways can you say, "Gators Win Again" Who is surprised, not 98reax. I'm filthy rich today (NOT!)
On the other hand, certain bloggers, posters, those REAL fan types like many of the ones who frequent this site should be working the Lady Vols beat. I don't care if the assignment is the peewee hopscotch league, that writer has an obligation to produce an informative good read. Come on KNS, give us a read.
98reax writes:
For instance, a nice column by Graham Hays of espn.com on his pics for best freshmen of the year thus far:
[ Shekinna Stricklen, Tennessee: She was the front-runner when I started taking a closer look at the competition, and I haven't changed my mind. Teammate Glory Johnson is going to be just fine (and she is already a significant asset, for that matter), but Stricklen has been the team's best player since Angie Bjorklund returned and took some of the pressure off the team's freshmen. At 6 feet, 2 inches, Stricklen does everything from play the point to block shots. And watching her spot up from beyond NBA range is simply fun. ]
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
I somewhat like the ladies game being under the radar. It adds to the overall classy tone of the sport.
IMHO, the ladies game needs to keep a certain distance from the men's game. We don't need the fighting, the trash-talking, and some of the other stuff.
My daughter plays, and there are cetain schools where the talking is pretty out of contorl. I hate to see that, but it is what it is, I suppose.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Nice win. Remember, at this point, it is about learning to win tough, tight games. the more of these the LV's have, and are successful in, the better they will be.
I see that Angie had a bad game, and that the perimeter D was off. Angie will be fine, I think she is still pretty young to be the team leader. The perimeter D is pure effort, and you would think that will improve as well.
The SEC is time for the LV's to get a routine going. I now at least feel like 20 wins will happen. I still doubt they go very far in the NCAA's, but that is looking at the team now.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I think I get your basic point but, IMHO, Dan Fleser is one the best sportswriters on the whole KNS staff. He covers the LV's year round and is usually good for a column every other day during the season. I would be interested to know how KNS's coverage of the LV's compares to the local newspaper and TV coverage of UConn up there. That would be our only possible competition in total amount of coverage.
98reax writes:
I do appreciate Dan for his coverage. As you say, johnlg, we would be SOL and in the dark without his column. I used to think the Chattanooga sports guys did a great job of keeping us informed about the comings and goings of the ladies, but since the merge, the staff has changed and the coverage is not what is used to be. Got to give those guys their props however, they do a great job of covering the Lady Mocs and the prep scene.
I'm just thankful for this KNS Women's Basketball link. As I previously stated, at least I can get the comments of some loyal Lady Vol fans who express some pretty darn good hoop savvy. I certainly agree with mparker, if keeping it on the down low will help to keep it real, then I'm willing to scrounge around here and there on the net to get the "he and the she of it." (my apologies to James Joyce)
I know one sure way to get the media hopping all over the Lady Vols; but I like winning way better than bad press.
mississippi writes:
good win girls
mad_poly_uct writes:
Just out of curiosity....what is the tv package for the LV's? Are the vast majority of games covered locally? Would be a shame if they weren't. I've always assumed that such a program that should have every game televised, does.
98reax writes:
Answer this one question, Butch; what compels you to come in here time after time to involve yourself in something you feel is painfully boring nonsense? What's up with you anyway? That's 2 questions. You don't need to answer the latter. Your comments are terribly harsh, judgmental and mostly untrue. They are abrasive if not abusive. Surely you aren't being forced to log in. Scroll to the top of this site. There are 12 choices including Women's Basketball. Read things that are not sad, boring and painful for you, Butch.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
According to his numerous posts on other articles, there is very little about UT sports that he does not find sad, boring, or painful. He is so negative that I wonder why he even cares enough to read and post on this site. I usually try to avoid things that I find sad, boring, or painful, but then I'm not a masochist.
tenn32rebel writes:
Butch - CRAWL BACK UNDER YOUR ROCK AND CLOSE THE HOLE!!!
Our Baby Lady Vols are doing quite well, thank you. Please, if you must post, have something worth reading!
GO BABY LADY VOLS---OUR FUTURE CHAMPIONS!!!
pammyvol1000 writes:
Shekinna rocks!! She is just getting better every game..
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