Lady Vols Basketball
OXFORD, Miss. — Angie Bjorklund saved her best shot for last Thursday night.
Tennessee’s junior guard buried a 3-pointer with a second left, giving Tennessee a 61-58 SEC women’s basketball victory over Ole Miss before a crowd of 2,356 at Tad Smith Coliseum.
Bjorklund’s basket capped a furious last-minute finish. Ole Miss’ Bianca Thomas tied the game with a driving layup with 16 seconds left.
Shekinna Stricklen scored a team-high 13 points for No. 5 Tennessee (22-2, 10-1 SEC), which maintained its one-game lead over Kentucky atop the conference standings. Bjorklund and Alyssia Brewer each scored 12 while Alicia Manning had 10.
Thomas and Liz Robertson each scored 18 for Ole Miss (15-9, 6-5). They combined for eight of the Rebels’ 10 3-pointers.
Bjorklund said that Stricklen was the first option on the final play. Math dictated the course of action.
“We didn’t need a 3,’’ Bjorklund said. “We wanted a 2.”
When the play unraveled, Bjorklund was a great Plan B.
“She’s been really big for us in late seconds,” UT coach Pat Summitt said.
Nobody knows that better than Ole Miss. Bjorklund beat the Rebels in Knoxville last season with a 3-pointer with 8 seconds left.
“It’s very disheartening,’’ Ole Miss coach Renee Ladner said. “We knew exactly who was going to take the last shot. We guarded the first part of (the possession). I don’t think we guarded the second (part).’’
Both team persevered to the fantastic finish. Stricklen, who tumbled to the court in the first half, limped through the final minutes with a sore leg and still finished with eight assists to go with her points.
“She was in pain,’’ Summitt said. “Give her credit. She played through it.”
Tennessee played without forward Glory Johnson by choice. She logged just 17 minutes.
“She just wasn’t active,’’ Summitt said. “She’s our best athlete. She wasn’t very productive tonight.
Ole Miss post Nikki Byrd, meanwhile, missed most of the second half after UT center Kelley Cain landed on her in a rebound scramble. Byrd managed to return for the final 3:52.
“This was a hard-fought game on the part of both teams,’’ Summitt said.
While UT hit the 3-pointer that mattered the most, the shot was the weapon of choice for Ole Miss The Rebels swished four within the first 12 minutes, enabling them to withstand a 9-for-14 shooting start by Tennessee.
After its hot start, Tennessee finished the first half mired in a 2-for-15 cold snap. On one trip down the floor, the Lady Vols missed six shots, counting rebound attempts. At that point, Bjorklund was 1 for 7, including 1 for 6 on 3-pointers. Her one 3-pointer pushed her past 1,000 career points.
Ole Miss stormed past Tennessee with a 10-point scoring run. Thomas’ first basket gave the Rebels their first lead since the opening minutes, 24-21. They led by as much as 30-23 after guard Kayla Melson banked in a jumper.
Tennessee restored some order with a Brewer rebound basket and a Cain block but the Lady Vols still trailed at the break, 30-25.
The Lady Vols regained the lead on two occasions early the second half. They stopped Ole Miss by going to a zone defense but only briefly. After back-to-back 3 pointers by Robertson and Thomas, the Rebels were back in front, 43-39.
In a game featuring five ties and eight lead changes, the Lady Vols surged back in front down the stretch. A Bjorklund 3-pointer gave them a 58-54 lead with 2:41 left.
In the end, UT needed one more 3-pointer and Bjorklund delivered.
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Comments » 67
USNVOL writes:
Nice win Lady Vols.
volfanincarolina writes:
This was a big win for the lady Vols. Cain just keep practicing your foul shots. It will come and you got to know you are going to be continued to be fouled alot of times. We got to hit foul shots in close games. Great win and beat the he!! out of Florida.
huntined#565710 writes:
They can scare you to death. But being behind and having to catch up will catch up with them.
That was a GREAT win especally with all the 3's they were hitting on us. Had to listen to that game it may have been the first one this year that was not on t.v. here in FLA. Angie GREAT SHOT!!!!! Now come home and get ready for FLA.
rclarkfork#639958 writes:
you are the one that doesn't have it...what a joke
SoddyVol writes:
For the most part, Love the defense but where is the offense and free throw shooting? Angie made a big last shot but why the heck didn't she make a few earlier ones and keep my blood pressure down? Ladies, you've got to improve quickly as time is running out.
ps11824 writes:
allVolinGA writes:
A win is a win. But this team doesn't have it. Nor do the men.]]
Don't have what, Ls or Ws? Just like you said, a win is a win. If every game ends with a W, are they any less a winner? Embrace it and be thankful.
Kentucky clobbered Georgia tonight.
With a loss, we could have fallen backward into a tie with the Wildcats. Instead we remain #1 in the SEC. That is as high as it gets, and I can think of 11 teams in the conference that would love to be in our sneakers.
nadio1987 writes:
I dont care what NO ONE says, these girls are playing NOT the BEST, but much IMPROVED basketball, i guess some people just so USE to Tenn being the POWERHOUSE, but if u havent accepted that they are not by this time, then u might has well WAIT till next season if everyone is HEALTHY.. these ladies are GROWING, and they played on the ROAD in the SEC, a TOUGH conference.. And when ANY team plays TENN, they give they ALL, esp for OLE MISS who havent beat TENN in a long time.. and OLE MISS have SENIORS and veteran players who played in the ELITE eight.. I think TENN will make it FAR this year, and i hope we WIN the SEC tourney, if its by ONE POINT, i dont care.. a WIN is a WIN, and i rather have a W anyday than a L.. and plus these girls are 22-2, no matter how sluggish at times they play, they are 22-2, it cud be much WORSE, GO LADY VOLS !!!
tonyvick#213307 writes:
Is the SEC really this tough? Kentucky looked ok tonight vs. an undermanned GA. Kentucky is tough at home but so are we and we play them at TBA. I'm getting less nervous when you ladies are behind. I have the utmost confidence that you all will come back and my heart is getting stronger. But how 'bout a blow out every once in a while?
ladyvolfaithful62 writes:
Mickey Dearstone picked Brewer for player of the game, but I would have went with Manning. That girl was everywhere tonight and made some good buckets. Kudos to Angie B for the game winner. I really wish they could have sustained that early lead - my blood pressure was way too high!
xvolx writes:
Only good thing about this game was the win. Offense was undisciplined. Defense was slow and nonagressive. Rebounding was timid. Officiating was terrible again. Stopping the game to look for a flagarant foul that never existed. If it wasn't for TV contracts, ladies basketball would be in the tank. Someone has got to take a look at the officiating in ladies basketball. Coaching wasn't so hot either. Like I would take Bjorkland out of a game with 5 minutes to go. Strickland is an accident waiting to happen at pt. guard.
jwoods11#209503 writes:
Thanks to ESPN360 my wife and I were able to watch the game in Florida.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Congratulations on the win! Angie was off all night but she delivered when it mattered. Still gave up too many three's. The problem may be that when opposing teams toss it in our defense collapses to help, but I think they should stay on their man and let the post defend their own man. Our post are pretty good defending one on one so maybe if the lady vols stay on their own man on the perimeter that would limit some of the three's. Just a thought! Manning has really had a good couple of games. One thing, they did not use the post as much as they should have tonight. They have got to start playing inside out more! Good road win!
richvol writes:
I knew last year that Manning had the talent to help this team. She has basketball IQ and is a fighter. If she had a jump shot she would be dangerous.
What the hell is up with Glory Johnson? She started the year like an all-american and now can't get minutes? Is she regressing back to her freshman shortcomings?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Kepp it rolling corch Summit.
On the road in the SEC is dangerous.
Good win.
ladivolfan writes:
This group no longer causes me panic when they go into the locker room at half time behind.
riverosa writes:
you can tell by the way cain approaches the line that she has no confidence in her free throw ablility.
If Angie can make threes and two at the final minutes of a game she can do it the total 40 minutes.
volaholic45 writes:
Practice items:
Shooting from the floor
Free throw shooting
Lay up drills with the practice guys in the paint
Take away the baseline lessons.
dbgray writes:
The Vols have shown they can win the close ones under pressure. They will be a #1 seed. ND will lose two more games to UCONN and will be a #2 seed. Just keep up the intensity!
jakethevolguy writes:
Angie passed up too many wide open shots last night. I have noticed that if she misses a couple she tends to become a little timid. When the Ole Miss players got the ball with an open look they didn't hesitate putting it up and that's what kept them close. I understand what VolinGA means about this team not having "it" and I believe the "it" is the killer instinct. They play well enough to win but not well enough to put away teams early that they should. And, I agree, this was probably Manning's best game and should have been the MVP for this game.
volboy81 writes:
Good game....Good win! Glory has to bring it EVERY night, not just sometimes! Manning is a hustler, esp. on D! We need to spend 2-3 afternoons practicing layups. We miss WAY too many easy, inside shots!! Thanks, Angie...you came thru in the clutch again!
GO LADY VOLS!!!! BEAT FLORIDA!
CrankE writes:
Agreed. With the exception of the men beating Kansas, nothing either team has done suggests that they will have any staying power in March.
RLL59 writes:
The reason many fans are unhappy with close games against inferior opponents is that it doesn't bode well for the tournament where after the first round teams will be closer to the Lady Vols' talent. While this may not be a 'great' Lady Vol team, once again their opponent did not have a single player TN wanted. All teams have down games, but the level now being played by the Lady Vols appears to be the norm for them, not the exception. 22-2 is a great record; certainly better than most expected. But they're not progressing as a team like most expected, especially on offense. It's a legitimate concern with the tournament looming.
Had Bjorklund taken that game winning shot at any other time in the game, she would have likely been on the bench. As with Lady Vols teams of the past, setting effective picks for the 3 shooters just isn't going to happen...and that's what she needs to be effective early on, ...that and a few passes back from the posts...again a play that doesn't appear to be part of the scheme.
Interesting that Kamiko Williams' name hasn't been mentioned in this stream. It's a lot to expect a freshman to turn around an offense that struggles the way this one does. It's obvious she has the talent, and, with experience, hopefully, Coach Summitt can make the most of it.
For the second straight game, the opponent was able to maneuver into matchups of their guards with our post players out near the free throw line. Without help, there's no way Brewer or Cain can defend a small guard driving to the basket.
johnlg00 writes:
Well, THAT was surely some great coaching advice! You DID notice that Angie hit the game-winner and that Shekinna had EIGHT assists, didn't you? No, the LVs aren't playing like a well-oiled machine right now. They are playing like a rugged machine that keeps on going to get you home, even if it is leaking oil through a blown cylinder. Better that, IMHO, than some finely-tuned sports car that costs a fortune to run and spends half its time in the shop.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
One thing I've noticed is other teams shoot lights out 3's when they play us. Is it because we are getting everyone's best effort? Is it because no one can go inside against our bigs and they resort to shooting prayers? Is it because we just don't defend the 3 ball well? Whatever the case keep scoring at least one more point than your opponent!
ps11824 writes:
long_vol writes:
quit bltching about close wins. These are much better than constant blowouts as far as building teamwork and toughening up the girls.
You already know they won't 'win many 'pretty' games. They have some confidence now in close games.]]
I like your post and totally agree. We have become very critical. Now's the time to be supportive.
cloudodust writes:
I'll give CPS the credit for pulling Johnson instead of allowing her to fight through the struggles at the possible expense of a loss. That's coaching for the win IMHO...
ps11824 writes:
I was fussing (to myself) about Kelly Cain's lack of offense until I realized she fought off the law, yet again, grabbing 16 rebounds to lead a 47-23 advantage on the boards. I would say she was fighting as best she could. The 3-ball has been our biggest threat many times this season. I trust Pat will figure out how to alleviate that scenario by post season.
MR_VOL writes:
Folks it is this simple: a WIN is a WIN! At the end of the season the only thing VOL fans will remember is the overall team record, not which games were close or blowouts.
Actually, a close game is a good thing. It gives this team (any team) the experience in knowing what it is going to take, both mentally and physically, to win. It is only going to get harder (and closer) in March.
JUST KEEP WINNING!
GO BIG ORANGE!
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
I went to the game (looked like more orange there than red) and you could tell Pat was frustrated with our inconsistent play. This was a good Ole Miss team but we should have put them away earlier. We don't seem to have what we need at guard to run the team consistently on offense - the team didn't appear to be insync very often. As for Glory Johnson, she is an incredible athlete, but she must be a head case. If playing with Alesia Manning won't inspire you the floor, then I wonder if anything will. Manning is 110% basketball player on both ends of the floor, but apparently that doesn't rub off on Johnson. I say leave Johnson on the bench and play everyone else in front of her - see if that will motivate her. If she has any pride she should respond.
edimitri writes:
Found it on ESPN360 also when CSS failed to join the game for about 20 minutes due to OT Duquesne game.Wish they would cut away for the local markets,at least for the state of Tennessee.Sorry you have to dodge Gaters down there,but at least you are missing Nashville snow and ice.This was a big win for the LV's.
rlshepa#259432 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
rlshepa#259432 writes:
Why do you even watch BB games? You should spend your time watching Nick at Nite
LdyVolFaninKS writes:
I'm still not liking this "a win is a win" attitude, as I am a "it's not if you win or lose, it's HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME" type of person. But hey, I'll take the W.
I'm really starting to wonder about Williams. I am hoping it is just because she is a freshman, but sometimes it seems like she doesn't have a very good basketball IQ. I'm hoping this isn't the case, but just can't quite figure her out. I am also very concerned about Glory and the wall she seems to have hit. We would have lost quite a few games earlier in the season without her, so hopefully she will get past whatever is in her head in time for the tournament!
Angie never ceases to amaze me. She plays inconsistent the entire game, then turns it on in the last 5 minutes. As our team elder, this can not continue through the tournament.
Not sure why we didn't feed Cain the ball more in this game. I couldn't see very well watching in on ESPN 360, but it always seems to me that we should be feeding it to her more. I know she missed some, but the way we were killing on the boards, she could have shot until she made it most of the time.
Brewer is really starting to impress with her battling. Just wish she wouldn't throw her arms up in the air everytime the whistle blows...I don't think she thinks she has ever committed a foul.
Manning...pretty impressive the last few games. Looks like she might be finding her offense as well. She is for sure making better choices with the ball.
Spani looked a little better. Can't forget she is a freshman too and is entitled to some mistakes.
Strick found some of her confidence again. IMO, that's what she has been lacking the last 5 games or so, just her confidence. She is the best and smartest player we have on the floor most of the time, but when her confidence is gone, she becomes somewhat of a liability. She'll be OK, she's a tough kid.
Wish we could have seen a little of Bass and Smallbone. It always kind of amazes me how Smallbone can start one game and not even play in the next.
The zone defense we are playing is what is opening up the perimeter for the 3 ball. We are just simply not fast enough to get out there. I would much rather allow some of those 3 balls than to get beat on the inside. An uncontested 3 pointer is much better than an uncontested lay-up IMO, and we all know we are not fast enough to play a man defense.
Woo...sorry, I'm a little long-winded this morning!!
ps11824 writes:
In response to another GVX article, someone posted the comment that they could not remember Pat having to constantly PUSH the 'greats' like Holdsclaw, Catchings, and Parker, like the way she has prodded these gals. I distinctly recall the way she pushed Chamique Holdsclaw. Pat would get so aggravated at Mique because she would not give it all. She knew there was greater potential there than she was seeing on the court many times. Mique begged to go home at times. She eventually realized that coach was pushing her to be the best she could be.
Parker drew the ire of Pat at times too, for slacking. Candace had the 'luxury' of sitting beside Pat for an entire season, but in her redshirt freshman year she seemed to have amnesia about how Pat would jerk her from the court to remind her that pouting would get her another ringside seat.
Tamika Catchings had the mentality of Manning however. No one in the arena was going to out-work her, practice, cheerleader, whatever, Catch was giving 110%. Wish we could see that from Glory because she has another gear we have not seen. When Pat finds the governor for all those gears, Glory will be the go-to player we saw in Tamika Catchings.
"I'm a coach, so I take the issue of control personally. I've always seen the movements of players on a basketball court as an extension of myself, like puppets on a string. Their failures were my fault. Their successes were my responsibility. I demanded they act like Pat, and think like Pat. A row of little Patlings."
"I've always yelled at them. I yell because I'm a yeller."
"You'll work. There's a reason it's called work—it's hard. But it's nothing to be afraid of. It's not anything you aren't capable of. No one's ever died from it... Some have passed out." Pat Summitt from Raise the Roof (1998)
phhome writes:
What's up with all the cursing, take that to another site, we DON'T need it! I think the girs went into what could have been a boobie-trap game, and came out with a close but tough win. You can't expect a walkover every game, but to me it showing the togetherness of a group of ladies that were not like this last season, give them credit for what they have accomplished, and back off of the unkind comments, even the pro's have off nights, they're still young ladies, with room to grow, and I for one don't like to see some of the errors they make but they're only human, but I will support them to the end, so for you armchair coaches, until you put yourself in their shoes, save the cursing and unkind comments for your own homes!! Take no prisoners, GO LADY VOLS!!!
tonyvick#213307 writes:
Now don't get carried away. Johnson has the potential to be the best player on the floor whenever she's on the floor. Manning plays hard but I cringe sometime at her ball handling and passing. I believe Pat will straighten out the Johnson situation...and then look out world!!!
ps11824 writes:
How fiercely would I get blasted if I suggested we just try to play nice with each other? We quickly blast the players for things they do poorly, but we jump right back with harsh criticism of each other and the team and coaches as well.
tennboy78 writes:
All we have to do is stay composed. If we make the layups and do not throw weak passes, we run everybody out of the gym. We have Great talent. We are awesome! We just get in too much of a hurry or try to do too much, and end up wasting possessions -- simple pic and rolls -- especially when we have a height advantage like we did against Vandy. If we keep a presence on the perimeter on defense, and let the posts help each other without collapsing the guards too far in, we do not give up as many 3's.
I would also like to see Spani and Manning drive the ball and get fouled -- they seem to be our most consistent freethrow "makers" when they get to the line.
GreerVol22 writes:
thanks for your support, I'm glad your "allVol".
ps11824 writes:
tennboy78 writes:
All we have to do is stay composed. If we make the layups and do not throw weak passes, we run everybody out of the gym. We have Great talent. We are awesome! We just get in too much of a hurry or try to do too much, and end up wasting possessions -- simple pic and rolls -- especially when we have a height advantage like we did against Vandy. If we keep a presence on the perimeter on defense, and let the posts help each other without collapsing the guards too far in, we do not give up as many 3's.
I would also like to see Spani and Manning drive the ball and get fouled -- they seem to be our most consistent freethrow "makers" when they get to the line.]]
Great comments, tennboy.
I feel like Pat has a little something left in her tank too, as far as getting them to relax and have some fun. She will not, however, let up until the time is right. Pat's in her yelling, teaching, pushing mode right now. Sure, the gals are tense. They want to please her. They know she has their best interest at heart. She knows how much they want to hold up the Lady Vols' tradition. Win and advance. They are winning. We are whining. Who needs coaching?
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Defense is getting us through this SEC schedule. Our girls has keep every team but one under 64 points. That is great defense. Now if they can find some chemistry on off we will be okay. With four home games and a game at Bama we should be able to wrap the regular season championship up. GBO
jakethevolguy writes:
Dude, dude, dude!! Take off the rose colored glasses. I love the LVs and hope they win it all but, I just don't see it. Due to the quick turnaround during tournament play you have to have 5 starters that get it done on both ends of the court and a bench that not only provides some rest for the starters but provides meaningful minutes (scores and plays sound defense) while in the game on a consistant basis. This team is winning close games now vs the Ole Misses, S.C.s, etc. but come tourney time and they are facing the other elite teams from accross the nation I'm afraid they're going to come up short. i.e. Stanford. I hope you prove me wrong but, I just don't see an elite eight appearence this year. I'm sayin two and done.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Listen folks...I know everybody is entitled to voice their opinion as I do quite often. However, this team has only lost 2 games! We are #1 in the SEC with 5 games to go. This team has greatly improved since last year! You have to remember what young players we are playing. Baugh as been out all year along with Gray and Dupree. I think Pat has done an awesome job with this team and she is doing whatever she has to in order to get them ready for the SEC tourney and the Big Dance. One would expect UCONN, Stanford, ND to be in the position they are in due to their much older experienced teams.
What do you expect from this team? IMO, they have already exceeded realistic expectations! Pat is trying to get them all to their potential and with this young team, it is just taking a little more time than usual. Have some of you not noticed the vast improvements in Cain and Brewer? Have you not noticed the different combinations that Pat has used this year? Yes, some of the girls still have some rough games, but it usually happens to all players at some point and time during the season.
The thing to realize and remember is that these girls are finding a way to win games! Can we all be happy and thankful for that? Do I think they can win the NC this year???...anything is possible, but probably not. We have a great chance of going very far in the NCAA tourney! Let us all be thankful for what they have accomplished so far and continue to support our Lady Vols and Pat. There is no other coach that could do what Pat has done with this young team this year period. Next, we will beat the Gators!
LV.......TCB......KOKO.....GBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS. We should DESTROY everyone for the next 2 possibly 3 years,.....unless we have further injuries!
jdcdjc writes:
You might want to rethink your comment. rclarkfork#639958 is not putting the Vols (men & women) down, and neither am I, but the men just don't have it, they don't have a decent shooter on the team except for Chism. And it does not seem to matter what Summitt does, she cannot find the right combination, and until or unless she does the gals will be lucky to get past the first round in the NCAA and the men will be lucky to make the NCAA and if they do it will be one and done. I dealy love the Vols but they just don't Have it.
jdcdjc writes:
I live in Ga and was not able to get last night's game (OLE MISS) on TV, but was able to watch on ESPN360. It is the second one I have been able to pickup on ESPN360 this year. Any time I cannot find a UT game on the tube I check and see if it is there on 360.
jdcdjc writes:
I like your article and I really like your attitude.
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Need I say more??? I was going to give my opinion, but no need to after this post. Very well said!!
utfan00 writes:
I can relate to your article. These so call fans have failed to realize this is a young team without a "SUPERSTAR". I think they are doing great. Look at the majority of teams they have played against with VETERAN players, but the LV somehow managed to come out with a win or kept the deficit within limits. The Elite 8 and Final debut is impossible????? . If not, which team in the SEC is a E8 or F4 contender?
Volfantm writes:
I think maybe the SEC is a little different this year. After watching Ole Miss win in triple OT against LSU I think they are pretty good this year as is SC. Maybe LSU and possibly Georgia are down a little (I know UGa played well at home against UT but some of their other games they have been clobbered).
The SEC tournament should be pretty exciting and I think Pat will be expecting the LV's to motivate themselves for that one and I am looking forward to seeing them meet that challenge. They seem much tougher than last year to me and Pat still lives for March. Go Lady Vols!
nadio1987 writes:
Its funny how people was complaining when we was losing last year badly, and complaining this year when we winning, make ya mind up people !!!!
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