More freshmen support for Lady Vols

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.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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