NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Tennessee couldn’t finish what it started Saturday night.
The closing act was all Auburn’s — all the way to the SEC women’s basketball tournament championship game.
The Tigers went into the locker room at halftime trailing by five points and looking like a rather ordinary team. They re-emerged as the conference’s regular-season champions and the nation’s sixth-ranked team.
Auburn (29-2) shrugged off that deficit and steamrolled the Lady Vols with 52 second-half points, more than enough for a 78-58 semifinal victory at Alltel Arena.
DeWanna Bonner led the way with 26 points. Whitney Boddie added 19, scoring 17 in the second half. Sherell Hobbs had 16.
“We were fully aware that you go through Tennessee to get to a championship,’’ Auburn coach Nell Fortner said. “I felt like in the 20 minutes of the second half we understood that and played much better basketball.’’
No. 19 Tennessee (22-10) had no answer for Auburn’s 57.1 percent field-goal shooting (16-for-28) after the break. The Lady Vols merely compounded their problems by shooting 26.3 percent (10-for-38) and committing 10 of their 17 turnovers in suffering their worst loss in the program’s SEC tournament history.
Kelley Cain’s return from a first-half knee injury didn’t stop the onslaught. Nor did Angie Bjorklund scoring all of her team-high 17 points in the second half.
“We came in at halftime feeling pretty good about what we had done,’’ UT coach Pat Summitt said. “The wheels fell off in the second half. At times, we just didn’t defend. They had their way with us in transition and off the bounce.”
The beginning was painful for Tennessee and Cain in particular. The redshirt freshman center’s surgically repaired right knee collided with the knee of Auburn forward Trevesha Jackson with 18:25 left in the first half. Cain crumpled to the floor and had to be helped to the locker room.
The Lady Vols also lost Bjorklund to early foul trouble. The sophomore guard, who scored 25 points against Florida on Friday night, played just six minutes before halftime.
Down two starters, UT’s response was both determined and resourceful. At times, the Lady Vols were playing with five freshmen. Yet they went off at halftime with a 31-26 lead.
Alyssia Brewer had nine of her 11 points and 10 of her game-high 15 rebounds by the break.
Rookie point guard Briana Bass scored on a double-pump driving layup and connected with fellow freshman Alicia Manning on a lob pass for a layup.
Although it was that kind of half for Tennessee, it didn’t turn out to be that kind of an ending. Cain’s comeback was more courageous than anything. She attempted just one shot, converting a reverse layup for her only two points.
“She had been a big part of our offensive game plan,’’ UT assistant coach Dean Lockwood said. “Kelley gives us another dimension … The thing is she scores so easily. We didn’t have that.”
Few Lady Vols were scoring period, as Auburn started the second half with a 19-2 run. Bjorklund ended up scoring all but 10 of her team’s second-half points.
Freshman guard Shekinna Stricklen, an all-tournament candidate through the first two games, looked spent in shooting 3-for-19 from the floor and scoring six points. She had five turnovers.
“I was shooting short; I wasn’t using my legs,’’ Stricklen said. “It was something I couldn’t get over. That shouldn’t be an excuse.”
Lockwood said that the assistant coaches were speculating whether a tougher-than-expected first-round victory over Alabama and Friday night’s alley fight with Florida took a toll.
“I wonder if there’s a point where some kids hit a physical, mental wall,’’ he said.
There’s no debating that Auburn took a toll on Tennessee. And the Tigers needed only 20 minutes to do it.
“We were not happy with how we played but we played a team tonight that was just better than us in the second half,’’ Summitt said. “And it was obvious that they were the more aggressive team and the more skilled team.”
Dan Proctor draws Tennessee Football…
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Cordarrelle Patterson drafted by the…
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Comments » 123
dwa7#337691 writes:
1st......what a poor half...........oh well............one game in the NCAA.........
Rockytop98 writes:
I pray we make the Sweet 16, bu it will be hard with our youth!!
ohladyvolsfan writes:
Hey, we played 3 or 4 days. Pretty good for this team. Keep shooting Angie! Shekinna was totally fatigued and I think part of the 2nd half problem was we weren't playing FOR Kelley, we need that same heart all game! Can't wait for the NCAA
Rockytop98 writes:
Jerk!!
johnlg00 writes:
No TV for this game here in ACC country. Just as well. I turned off the audio feed with about eight minutes to go; too sad to take any longer. This was about what I figured as soon as I saw the brackets. I think a rested LV team could play them tough, but coming off two straight previous games, it just wasn't gonna happen. Oh, well! Now they have two weeks to rest up, practice hard, and get ready for the NCAAs. It will make all the difference for Kelley Cain not to have to play games on consecutive days. Depending on the draw, I give them a good chance to at least keep Pat's streak of consecutive Sweet Sixteens alive.
huntined#565710 writes:
Thanks Mike, we didn't know we lost that game..By the way you will meet that AUBURN team down the road and you will get to see the BEST PLAYER in the country
BONNER!!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
all I can say is you are really, really tempting fate.
we aren't supposed to be doing that much, and we at least over-acheived by a little in the tourney.
YOUR team, on the other hadn, if they lose...if they lose, it will be the BIGGEST choke job in women's bball history.
Get that??
BIGEJ writes:
Mike_de_Conn- translated- ANUS FORAMINIS; Newflash; maybe a bad loss but never a LOSING season; your team cannot boast the same.........
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
yes; if you care, you can watch the replay on espn360.com, assuming it's available to you.
The draw was tough, we don't match up well with Auburn at all. That damn Brooks under-cutting Cain last night: she should have been tossed from the game. When I watched it, I could just see Cain's career ending right there on a dirtbag play.
The LV's did what they could do, now they get a little break and some time to prep. Now, it's all up to the brackets we pull. My guess is we won't get much of a break, I think there are some people in the ncaaw who don't much like Pat.
Still, we will show up and play the game.
bjpatter writes:
The Lady Vols did not lose this game. The Head Coach did! Thank you , Coach, for breaking the team chemistry that was displayed in the first half of the game. You never should have put Cain in to start the second half. She was hurt and Brewer was doing just fine. Strickland should have been pulled and replaced by Bass because Strickland was tired and her shooting reflected it. Why scream at Angie after hitting a three pointer in the second half? You are destroying the confidence of the girls and you are beginning to look like a desperate Coach on the sidelines. Coach Judy has spoken!!!!!
huntined#565710 writes:
mike where were you last night as we were not expected to beat FLA..nobody in here thought we would win more then one game..we way overachieved what most of us expected// BUY THE WAY I sent PITT a message for taking care of your HUSKIES today...CHOKE..
BIGEJ writes:
ANUS FORAMINIS; I could not agree with you more; so why did Geno have a losing season when he started;THERE ARE NEVER SUPPOSSED TO BE REBUILDING YEARS AT THESE TWO PROGRAMS..so what is the excuse?
easleychuck writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
easleychuck writes:
Missed you at the last 2 championship games....still chaps your little a@ss that you don't get to play on the biggest stage against the best program of all-time anymore. That is what happens when break those rules, Yankee boy.
Again, hope ole Coach dildo doesn't blow this coronation like you did last year against the Cardinal.....Lady Vols lost to the better team today(Auburn), what will be dildo boy's excuse if he gags this year.
easleychuck writes:
judy, judy, judy how many games / championships / gold medals have you won ? Exactly, return to your hole and take the Yankee interloper with you and amuse each other.
johnlg00 writes:
No such luck, buddy. No espn360.com for me. Can't say I missed it tonight(;-[)!
BTW, would you have ever even IMAGINED such a bitter, twisted little man as Mike from UConn if you didn't find him squatting on here every day? He is almost like a cartoon character, though a most unfunny kind.
huntined#565710 writes:
mike, you have a great memory about UCONN and know better then I do but seems as if I remember you won 34 in a row last year and RUTGERS TOOK YOUR BUTT OUT...34 MIKE AND GENO LET THEM LOSE...HOW DID HE DO THAT TO YOU???
johnlg00 writes:
I just can't imagine how CPS ever could have won over 1000 games and eight national championships without your sage advice! This is the first time I recall seeing your screen name on here. Why haven't you been offering such dead-certain, rock-solid advice all season? This is surely not the first bad game they have had all year.
volball7222 writes:
We have 10 losses just like 1997. UCant is undefeated, just like 1997. Best team, best coach, best players for UCant could not handle a 10 loss Lady Vol team. We have nothing but upside...while UCant will fall with a heavy thud...again. Please come to see us, we would love to meet you
bjpatter writes:
I AM NOT A YANKEE! I am a retired counselor/ombudsman from the south who bleeds orange. I love Coach Pat, but her human relation skills appear to not be working this year. Times are changing and sometimes methods must change as well. Coach Judy has spoken.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
complete bull, mike. each year's team stands on its own merits.
I'll give you this: Pat made the 'deal with the devil' to win the NC's by having all seniros and no juniors or sophomores. we are certainly paying for that.
Caspian writes:
Yes, we lost to a better Auburn team tonight. We might be able to pull a surprise in the NCAA tourney, but looks unlikely for a final 4 this year. Congratulations to UConn on a great season so far. Good luck in the tournament. I'm sure you must be very proud.
huntined#565710 writes:
CLASS///MAN THAT RIGHT THERE IS NOTHING BUT CLASS..
CTOWNICON writes:
The title speaks for the way the lady vols played tonight. They ran out of gas. No legs for the second half. I don't know what kind of officiating was going on tonight, on both ends. I would hang all three of those refs tonight. So many calls that you couldn't enjoy the game. The refs took the rhythm out of the game, however, Auburn adjusted and lady vols didn't. Lady vol defense also diappeared in the second half. I would have left Kelly out of the game. I don't think she was ready even though she said she was. Stricklen was also having a rough shooting night and you could look at her and tell she was tired. I would have pulled her. Alex is going to have to step up. She did nothing in the win against Florida and nothing tonight. She is going to have to look for her shot. She has a great shot from the outside and she showed that senior night against a good Vandy team. She is the senior on this team and she shouldn't disappear like that. Another thing I noticed, they tried to ride Angie too much tonight. Angie can't do it alone, she needs help. The positive things in this game: Angie tried to pull them back but it was too late, but I applaud her effort. Alicia Manning played a good game tonight. I would have used her tonight in Stricklens place being that Stricklen was tired and having a off night. Brewer did a great job in that post. Auburn really had no answer for her. She did a good job. So now you know what Manning and Brewer are capable of. I hope they can get more playing time. Well, put this game behind and focus on getting ready for NCAA. Alex is going to have to step up if she is going to be on the floor, just leading the team is not enough she is going to have to get physical and look to score. It is time for her to put that soft game in the closet.
YankeeVol writes:
Yankees aren't so bad. We just need more reminders to be polite than the ordinary person.
oldvolsfan writes:
We do NOT recurit and break rules like jacka:: dose at ucon and how many freshman dose he play go to their board and leave this one out of your system stupid
ladyvolsbballluver writes:
You know Mike, Auburn had 4 seniors in their starting line up, we had only one. We will have our time in 2 or 3 years, you just wait. Our team will be UNSTOPPABLE. So we lost, o well just wait and see who comes out in a couple of years.
bjpatter writes:
Will you and all others on this site participate in an experiment this week? Please scream at and criticize your spouse, children, and boss each time they annoy you or do not follow your precise instructions, since you agree with Pat that screaming and public humiliation produces positive results? Coach Judy has spoken.
oldvolsfan writes:
sometimes there is 2 women and 1 man or2 men and 1 woman
CTOWNICON writes:
Well said. It almost seem like a tic for tac thing to me. It was as if this one said well I am going to blow my whistle since you blowed yours. It was awful.
BIGEJ writes:
Opinions like many other things vary...Counselor/ conflict resolution ..hum...You knows since you follow the program, Coach Summitt has the students take personality tests to aid her coaching; Several generations of players since 1974 acquired the pinnacle of success with this esteemed coach, who with the game has evolved. Sometimes young (which equates to igorance) women "think" they know BB just like some bloggers...I know I will leave the task of BB to Coach Summitt and I will be a proud alumnus..GO VOLS
BIGEJ writes:
Plasticman, I totally agree; I have coached 11 years (ages 9-13, football & co-ed BB), appearances lead one to think the counselor/ conflict resolutionist, "Judge" Judy is a recliner coach for she has spoken "with ignorant tongue." GO VOLS
BIGEJ writes:
If bullfrogs had wings, they would not bump their bums when they hopped.....
tan007 writes:
we play with class and we lose with class. You could take a few lessons from us.
BIGEJ writes:
I thought he was from Italy; his family immigrated to the US to Philly when he was 7...I have several friends from Philly and in NY city I visit; they are not arrogant..what gives?
abnermc writes:
Auburn has a great team , maybe the top team & certainly better team tonite.Does anybody have foul totals for each team? Just curious. The officiating can't get any worse. I know it's a tough job but tonite it was obscene!
xvolx writes:
bj. couldn't agree more. This loss is on Summitt. The fire that Brewer and Bass had was put out when Cain and Manning started 2nd half. also Aub. goes on 11-0 run before she calls timeout. She is a great coach, but not tonight. We might have had a chance for a four seed if we win tourn.. now we are prob. looking at a six, playing a three for a sweet sixteen seed.
BIGEJ writes:
UT-23, AU, 15
xvolx writes:
just how brown is your nose.
rdberry#654521 writes:
I'm also known as BigRMan, but that's a horse of a different color. Well no SEC Tourney title. Ladies played a good first half but just didn't have enough in the tank to put the necessary distance from Auburn to start the second half. Bonner is a tremendous talent. I don't care what is said. This team made real progress, and hopefully will use this experience to carry over into the NCAA starting week after next. This team especially Brewer and Manning have made great strides. In '09-'10 we'll see how much they bond over the Summer, play and work out together to form goals to help them work towards adding their chapter to LV history. The progress made in the SEC tourney, added to the hoped for strides in the Big Dance (I don't think off of this effort a sweet 16 is not reasonable) The UT fans will see how much ownership of the effort to uphold the program's honor this group wants to take. With perhaps a point guard from the JUCO ranks and Baugh's return to a semblance of form, we should see more improvement next year. I'm encouraged! A cruel trick to play on CPS and this year's team would be to place them in UCON's region in the NCAA's. Sadly, it could happen, 25% chance.
volball7222 writes:
Put Geno's attitude in Pat Summitt, I can only imagine what you UCant fans would say about her. She is humble...very competitive. She never makes excuses but makes each loss a lesson learned. That is how she was able to take a 10 loss team and win the NC in '97. You better pray you win this year because there are no excuses for you loosing. Then he can write another book on "The Art of Choking on the Big One"
dbgray writes:
Tennessee fans shouldn't waste so much energy on Mike from Connecticut - He is succeeding in dominating the posting with 3rd grade comments.
rdberry#654521 writes:
Concerning CPS's competitive attitude, Hornbuckle was asked to compare Summitt's intensity with Bill Laimbeer's, her coach with the Detroit Shock. Alexis was to have said words to effect of Coach Summitt and Coach Laimbeer both are competitive and want to win... Coach Laimbeer uses very different language than Coach Summitt to motivate a team.
OldNumber7 writes:
Let me get this straight, you come on here and rant like a 2 year old and are challenging Tennessee fans' class? Your posts show you don't know how to act like a champion. I think you need to go put your nose in the corner...or go to bed...junior.
AllLadyVol writes:
I must say that tonight's game featured the most horrible officiating I have ever seen in a women's collegiate game, on BOTH sides. There were many instances when both Auburn and Tennessee were called for things that made absolutely no sense. Does the NCAA and/or the SEC not evaluate their officials from time to time?
I am not blaming Tennessee's loss on the officials. We made a very poor showing in the second half. However, it speaks volumes when both sides are furious at the officials, who would not allow either team to play defense like they potentially could and ordinarily do.
utmdm writes:
While I do not agree with most of what you stated, I did wonder about screaming a Angie in the second half as she was the only thing we had going as she gained her shot back after struggleing the first half. But Pat knows what she is doing.
mad_poly_uct writes:
mparker.....I recall a conversation we had following the NC game last year when you had predicted a 10 loss year in '09, and I first chastized you for a lack in confidence in this years team, but your conerns for what this years team faced pretty much played out exactly as you had predicted,most notably the lack of upperclassmen. I'm most impressed! However, it's the 10 loss thing that still has me squirming, just as I wrote about last April. The comparison to '96-'97 is still quite valid. UT, 10 losses. Uconn, unbeaten( well, BE tourney still to play, so I'm just jumping the gun a tad. 1 loss is still possible) The major difference I see in this 10 loss team however from '97 is the '97 team was on a major league roll going into the postseason, and Holdsclaw had established herself as one of the best in the nation, if not the best, and Kelly Jollie(sp?) had returned from knee injury to continue her role as one of nations best point guards. Having seen a few of the later games this season, I don't see this 10 loss team in the same light as '97's. Not to say they can't go on a six game run though! That's what's great about the month of March! Tough loss for you guys tonight, I'm sure, but as you posted after the Ala game Thurs, you weren't sure what would be left in the tank come Sat. Again, good call. Look forward to reading your posts heading into the big dance next week. Whether or not UT/Uconn meet up in tourney may be up in the air at the moment, but I just want to extend congrats to PS for the 1,000 plateau, another 20 win season, and another trip to the Nat. Tourney. Have fun, and good luck....well, the good luck part only extends to games played against teams that are not Uconn!!lol! :).....
tenn32rebel writes:
Mike from UCAN'T, just exactly when did you become the authority on CLASS???
I was taught to not insult people in their own home and that is all you do. To keep you from physical harm, you need to be outlawed on this site.
It was a much more civil site before you stuck your rancorous nose in and started insulting folks.
Stay on the Boneyard where your people love you!
I agree. Ban Mike_From_UCAN'T from this site or remove every post he makes. IF he can finally stop insulting folks, he can get a second chance.
CTOWNICON writes:
Who wants to read that pile of horse sh-t, no one. You keep reading it. No one here is fascinated with Geno or Uconn news. You have got to be the stupidest tramp. I can see you now just lusting after every word he says, my goodness. Does he have a wife or is it you.
CTOWNICON writes:
I would have to imagine his nose is Doo Doo brown. He has his nose way up in that backside.
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