DULUTH, Ga. - Pat Summitt sang a happy tune Sunday night.
Tennessee's coach grabbed a microphone and broke into an impromptu version of "Rocky Top" after the Lady Vols' 70-62 SEC women's basketball tournament championship victory over Kentucky before a crowd of 5,854 at Gwinnett Arena.
"I did that for the fans,'' Summitt said.
But she was inspired by her players after No. 4 Tennessee (30-2) pulled off a conference championship sweep of the regular season and tournament for the first time since 2000.
"I'm glad her job is coaching,'' center Kelly Cain said, smiling. "She hit some of the notes."
Like their singing coach, the Lady Vols weren't always in sync with their performance, committing 20 turnovers and shooting 41.9 percent from the floor (26-for-62) against No. 19 Kentucky (25-7). They parlayed their size advantage into a 51-32 rebounding edge and 44 points from close range. Their 16-for-19 accuracy from the free-throw line also helped, especially down the stretch.
"We just found open looks,'' forward Alyssia Brewer said. "This was a game where we didn't execute our offense because (Kentucky) was coming at us so hard. We found a way."
Brewer earned tournament most valuable player honors. The award was based primarily on her first two games. Against the Wildcats, she had eight points and four rebounds.
"I wasn't expecting that at all,'' she said. "Tonight, I thought I could've helped my team more than I did."
Point guard Shekinna Stricklen, on the other hand, pretty much maxed out in scoring a game-high 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds. She played through five turnovers to score 14 points in the second half and lead UT back from a four-point deficit in a game that featured eight ties and eight lead changes.
"That's what a point guard is supposed to do - be a leader,'' Stricklen said. "We got down on ourselves. We had to get our energy back up."
Alicia Manning, who had 11 rebounds and shared game-high honors with teammate Glory Johnson, was UT's other all-tournament honoree.
Victoria Dunlap and A'dia Mathies, Kentucky's all-tournament team members, led the Wildcats with 21 and 11 points respectively.
Playing its first conference tournament final since 1982, Kentucky overcame a 19-9 deficit at the outset and sliced a 10-point deficit in half inside the final minute before finally succumbing.
"I thought our players battled against a really fine basketball team today, and I thought we found out a lot about our team,'' said Kentucky coach Matthew Mitchell, whose team lost to UT 81-65 in Knoxville on Feb. 25. "One thing I do know is they wanted to win today, and it certainly showed out there on the court. They played awfully hard."
The difference turned out to be a seven-point UT scoring spree that broke the game's final tie and provided a 57-50 lead with 7:07 left. Several Lady Vols lent a hand to this stretch.
Brewer opened with a layup. Cain, who scored 11 points, recorded the assist. Angie Bjorklund then nailed a corner jumper.
Kamiko Williams and Stricklen collaborated on the final points of UT's flurry. Williams, who was a key contributor off the bench with eight points, four rebounds and three assists, poked the basketball loose for one of her two steals and took off up the court. She dished the ball to Stricklen, who swished a 3-pointer and then leaped for joy.
"Being tired didn't even cross our minds,'' Stricklen said. "The last seven minutes, we were a totally different team."
In the end, the Lady Vols were a championship team and assuredly locked up a No. 1 seed for the upcoming NCAA tournament. They did a victory lap with the tournament trophy and slapped high-fives with pep band members and fans.
And then Summitt broke into song. She sounded good to Bjorklund.
"I've heard 'Rocky Top' from her once or twice,'' she said, "and it's great every time."
Rocky Top League opening night
Old school: Archived photos of UT…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 109
dwa7#337691 writes:
what an ugly game............they better practice more!!!!!!
tensie2004 writes:
go lady vols
rockytopatl writes:
Congrats, Lady Vols. You obviously played like champions, which is what you are.
SummittsCourt writes:
SHUT UP IDIOT!
I can't believe that was all you had to say after winning the SEC Tournament.
nola_vol writes:
It was a game of runs: four or five obscure-to-unbelievable calls against Tennessee... then three or four equally embarrassing make-up (?) calls against Kentucky.
It's hard to watch and enjoy two games at once (the one we were watching and the one they were calling) but it's probably good preparation for our girls. Sadly, they're likely to experience worse in the NCAAs.
Way to persevere, Ladies!
SummittsCourt writes:
Way to go Lady Vols! Winning the daring double by beating UK twice. Once to win the regular season and now the tournament championship.
Last season, 22-11, 9-5 & first round knockout.
This season, 30-2, 15-1 & #1 seed in the tournament.
I'd say coach Summitt has this coaching thing down "Pat".
fpcoach writes:
They won a game against a very well coached Ky team. The refs let them play and most of the close calls went the other way and the ladies still found a way to win. Championships are never ugly. GBO
reg_mza#219136 writes:
Great game! Three games in three days for both teams and you could tell about halfway through the second half that both teams were gassed and trying to figure out a way to suck it up. TN caught it's second wind in addition to KY running on all cylinders until about the 9 minute mark then it was obvious they ran out of gas. Minus the last 90 seconds, KY was shooting, missing, and barely had enough umph to try for their own rebound. We weathered the storm for a sweet victory and SEC Championship!
This was an especially good game considering Cain's foul trouble, an obviously gassed Brewer, Bjorklund disappearing somewhat, and some overall difficulties executing on offense. Credit KY for giving us hell but credit the likes of Spani for just being in the way and making KY work harder, Manning for being all everything stat wise and All American in hustle, Kamiko stepping up when we needed her most, and Glory being the glue for both the starters and the backups. All around I was impressed by the effort considering how hard it is to play 3 games in 3 days straight. Way to go girls, you all deserve it!
RoadTrip writes:
KNS - proof again. Pat Summitt was so "pleased..."
Great job LVs! Kentucky came with their "A" game. Good competitive SEC game with the right team coming out on top. GBO! Impressed with what Coach Mitchell is doing up at UK.
SummittsCourt writes:
Typical Dee Cantner & crew screw job officiating. They are the worst!
mdvol writes:
Did we sweep the regular season? I recall getting upset at Georgia.
Memo to the NCAA's. We can skip the first few weeks and just get to Pat versus Geno. It's going to be interesting.
SummittsCourt writes:
Well put.
tnsportsman writes:
Great Game Lady Vols, true Champions! You are the pride of Big Orange Country!
GO LADY VOLS!
Rick4UT writes:
I would rather win ugly than lose playing great!!
Go VOLS!!!!!!!!
qspr91iz writes:
The Lady Vols have proven themselves against three scrappy teams with quick penetrating guards. Now I'm not worried if we face a quick team in the NCAA tournament. I am confident that Coach Summitt will have this team ready for any opponent. Girls you have really improved and I am proud of you. Final Four here we come!!!
orangecountyvols writes:
This was not a thing of beauty, but what else would you expect for the SEC championship, emotions spilling all over the place? Shekinna
on one play was the goat, turning it over, next thing you know she was hitting a clutch basket.
And, under pressure 16-19 at the line the team stood tall. U K showed its quickness blowing through the lane for layups, hitting uncontested
outside shots, and at times were flat outplaying Tennessee.
This will not go into the officiating hall of fame either. It was bad both ways, and the smaller Kentucky players were able to get by with a bunch of mugging jobs, people knocked to the floor with no calls, but really the refs just let them play near the end of the game.
Manning's scrapping for rebounds was huge, Johnson stepped up, Angie was kept in check for the most part, but in the end, Tennessee's experience at the end of big games stood tall.
Kentucky? All of you should be proud because they really came to play and left it all on the floor. Great game by both schools !
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
A win is like sex, the worst I've ever had was wonderful.
vols1961 writes:
GO LADY VOL'S. Great game Manning was great i thought. She played tough. Great win. KEEP it going.
Go Vol's
flatrock writes:
Give the ball to Kamiko! And Alicia!
DebKY writes:
Thank goodness that Kentucky never paid the $200.00 moving fee for Coach Summitt to go to Kentucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another great day to be a VOL FAN in Kentucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kentucky's #1 Vol Fan
reg_mza#219136 writes:
I never thought about it but good point, they do guard much better against quick penetrating guards. Plus they seem stronger, more physical, and know it...and use it well now compared to last year or even the beginning of the year.
littlec195360#215853 writes:
All I can say is that you are not one of us and you are not on our side. Go somewhere else.
OrangePride writes:
Have you ever actually seen a Pat Summitt practice? They are 30-2 with a very young lineup, swept the SEC (arguably the toughest conference in America), and are a shoo-in #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament...... but you think they need more practice time. Just enjoy and lets see how we do in the NCAA. Great job CPS and Lady Vols! GO VOLS!
tennman65 writes:
I'm with you WTG Lady Vols!
hgjmoore#258236 writes:
19 30 win seasons is a pretty damn impressive stat! CPHS and her teams are a model of consistency!
nola_vol writes:
Lady Vols shot 84.2% from the free throw line!
THAT'S the way we roll... to championships.
orangecountyvols writes:
You know, there has been occasional criticism of Pat being too rough on the team, chewing people out etc, etc. It is at this time what she has done with the team has proven to be worth it.
I'll bet, looking back every one of these players would say "thank you" to her, because Pat has been through the wars more than any other lady's coach in the game.
The NCAA should be interesting. Vols should be 32-2 heading out of Knoxville. We may not get to play the Evil Empire, and if we do, may not beat them...........still I've given up on the thoughts of betting against them ( Tenn, that is. )
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Congratulations Lady Vols and Pat! Sure Ky has a great team considering their coach and all his assistants either worked with, or played for Pat.
Put all of them together with the rest of the coaches and assistants in the NCAA tied with Pat and it would not still even equal ONE Pat!!!!!!
Great tourney, now, lets go dancing!!!!!
LV......TCB.....Keep on keeping on....GBO!!!!!!!
vol88 writes:
you don't get out much, do you?
boogimn3 writes:
Nappy! (sorry, flatrock) Good to see you over here on the LV site. Make sure you keep us up to date on the Kamiko-abuse, OK?
jgl#233810 writes:
I'll take any win in a game with that referee(aka she-who-should-not-be-named) on the crew.
drummerman11 writes:
just me, or did the officials make some "interesting" calls down the stretch?
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Yes flatrock...you can finally be happy tonight. Kamiko came ready to play and Pat let her play. She was a the spark that needed at that time and she delivered! Proud of you Kamkio along with the rest of the team. Shout out to Strick, Glory, Manning, Brewer, Cain, and Angie too. Will not get anything negative out of me!
ps11824 writes:
Summitt1000 writes:
in response to dwa7#337691:
what an ugly game............they better practice more!!!!!!
SHUT UP IDIOT!
I can't believe that was all you had to say after winning the SEC Tournament.]]
WE WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP, HOW CAN YOU COMPLAIN?
OldVols68 writes:
Think about it again -- NO seniors and we get (hopefully) Vickie Baugh, Faith Dupree(?) and Amber Gray in next year. Guess who is going to be favored to win the SEC Women's BB championship next year?(again). All I can say is "Wow!!! -- what a turnaround from last year."
Cldvols1 writes:
Way to go LV's!!!
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
Williams really stepped up . great game .
cloudodust writes:
Another great day to be a Tennessee Vol. Congrats to them and to us.
cloudodust writes:
Nice post. Your Ladies played hard and with serious tenacity.
tennesseekilt#206652 writes:
Add a final four to the mix and this will have been a truly awesome season. I can't see them getting past UConn (hope I'm wrong!) but at least they have the SEC hardware to mark it.
springtx_vol writes:
UT should be the overall no 4 seed, which means we see UConn in the semi-finals. Playing first two rounds in Knoxville, there should not be a problem getting to the Sweet Sixteen. No, I am not counting our eggs before they hatch, just figuring.
After that, it is all matchups. However, if they play their game, no one really scares me in the 13-16 area of the polls. UK will probably end up in that range; they took their best shot at us today. Then it will be the best No. 2 seed (Xavier or FSU?) to go to the final four.
I don't see Stanford or UConn getting beat, but I don't think Nebraska will make, not an extremely tough schedule even though they beat LSU early. So, it means they probably have beat UConn then Stanford to win the title. That may be too much to ask for this year!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
You should be proud CatScratch! Ky has a great team this year! They really played hard. Welcome to the ladies board. I have seen you in other places, but never here. You are always welcome because you are a class act cat! Good luck to Ky in the dance...as long as we don't play you!
huntined#565710 writes:
THANKS CAT, Your team played a great game and we wish you well in the ncaa
bobbizee#247300 writes:
great job LadyVols!! So proud of you. When I saw Dee Kantor on the floor to offciate I know things were going to be interesting, but in spite of her and her crew we beat them too, I Stricks emotion, mannings rebounding and big kudos to Kamiko, if the big girls aren't on in the paint someone else steps up! Oh and Glory you really handled some bad calls and some calls that should have been called with a smile I am so excited I may stay up until after midnight way beyond my bedtime GO LADYVOLS!
USNVOL writes:
Thanks for the post.......... KNS Staff.
cc623 writes:
First off:
Congratulations Lady Vols on the return to the post season winning ways that we are all accustomed to.
Second:
The only UGLY thing about that game was the pitiful officiating that the SEC represents itself with.The officials "swallowed" the whistle anytime the Lady Vols had the ball and UK's women were climbing all over them.When UK's women had the ball and the Lady Vols breathed too heavily on them it was blown but,most of the time it was blown in anticipation as usual...
utfan00 writes:
To you it maybe ugly. This is a young team who won the season title and sec tournament. I think it's "CLASSY" GO LADY VOLS!!!!!
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
Congratulations, Ladies! How about a men and women's SEC sweep!!
orangevoltrain writes:
Let's go Lady Vols play a 40 Minutes game and go get Number 9!!!!
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
They once lost a football coach named Bryant basically for presenting him with a Zippo lighter for a bonus after giving Coach Rupp a new Caddy.
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