The sight of Tennessee’s Kelley Cain and Vicki Baugh stalking the foul lane gave teammate Alicia Manning a fright.
“I was scared for the other team,’’ Manning said. “I’m serious. I wouldn’t want to drive on them. They were huge in there.”
In this case, Manning was fearful for Union University. Cain and Baugh made their first preseason appearances Sunday afternoon and cast long shadows over the Lady Bulldogs’ game effort. They combined for 12 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks in an 86-53 women’s basketball exhibition victory at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The 6-foot-6 Cain was more productive with 10 rebounds and five blocks. She helped neutralize Union’s Zeinab Chan, a 6-4 All-American center who shot 2-for-10 from the floor, committed six turnovers and scored just four points.
The 6-4 Baugh, who has undergone three knee surgeries during her UT career, supplied the drama, making her first appearance since Feb. 2, 2009.
“They will both be difference-makers for our team,’’ UT coach Pat Summitt said.
A bigger Tennessee was better than during its 110-66 win over Carson-Newman College on Tuesday night. Take away Union’s 47.4 percent accuracy on 3-pointers (9-for-19) and the Lady Bulldogs shot just 33 percent (11-for-33) on their other shots.
The Lady Vols, meanwhile, shot 49.3 percent from the floor (33-for-67) despite making just seven of 25 3-point attempts (28 percent).
The Lady Vols dominated the rebounding, 49-23, and were resourceful, parlaying 19 Lady Bulldogs turnovers into 21 points.
UT’s Glory Johnson had her second strong preseason showing, recording team highs for points (20) and rebounds (11).
Manning had 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Taber Spani and Shekinna Stricklen each scored 10.
“We kind of flowed a lot better than we did last game,’’ Johnson said.
Tennessee, which opens the regular season Friday night at Louisville, was better for having played Union, which has won the last two NAIA national championships and four of the last six.
Summitt’s resume was improved by the result. She has won 1,037 career games and led her teams to eight national championships. But before Sunday, she was 0-3 against the Jackson, Tenn., school, having lost three times to the Bulldogs during her rookie season of 1974-75.
“They’re good and they’re so well-coached,’’ Summitt said. “I caught myself at times just watching them play.”
Union led by as many as 13 points in an exhibition against Vanderbilt last season and led with 11 minutes left before losing 69-48. Guard Kayla Hudson hit four 3-pointers in that game. The All-America guard was one trey better against Tennessee in scoring a team-high 17 points.
“A lot of the sets we ran gave me some separation and I knew I had to get my shot off a little quicker because they were bigger, stronger, faster,’’ Hudson said.
Hudson’s sniper-like range gave UT fits, too.
“We weren’t really expecting them to be able to shoot seven feet behind the 3-point line,’’ Manning said.
The Lady Vols probably weren’t expecting the right-handed Hudson to fling one in with her left hand either, which she did to beat the shot clock in the first half. Union coach Mark Campbell was surprised and gave Hudson his undivided attention as she explained herself afterward.
“I really did get a good look at the rim,’’ she said. “However, it was with the wrong hand. I was trying to get a little bit of separation and (Manning) wasn’t going anywhere, so I just did the old spin move and kind of threw it up there.”
A Hudson trey pulled Union within 21-18 6:54 before halftime. UT then finished the half with an 18-3 scoring run. During that stretch, Johnson, who has one career trey, buried one from behind the men’s line at the top of the key.
“I liked everything but the three-ball,’’ Summitt said of Johnson’s performance. “I wasn’t impressed with that. It was as deep as it was lucky.”
Message sent and received.
“All I need is one,’’ said Johnson, laughing. “More than likely it’ll be the last one, unless I’m wide open and Pat tells me to shoot.”
Dan Fleser covers Tennessee Lady Vols basketball. He may be reached at 865-342-6288. Follow him at http://twitter.com/fleserKNS and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/fleser/.
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Comments » 11
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
First let me take my hat off to Union. That is a pretty good team. They have good guards, and a decent post player. Kayla Hudson's three point range is unbelievable. The girl can flat out shoot. She gave them fits. The three point defense has got to improve. At times, she was guarded and still connected, so nothing you can really do about that. But as a whole, the perimter defense needs to improve.
The defense was a lot better tonight, but the offense kind of left. Missed some open shots, good shots to. Glory was fantastic! She has got to be the most improved player on the team. So poised and so confident. She is really focused. That three pointer she took, had good form to me. Nothing but net! Angie had a bad shooting night. Manning had a good game. She was everywhere. Simmons had an ok game, so did Avant. They played good together. Made some good passes. Simmons had an amazing reverse layup on a fast break. I think she shot a little too much tonight, because she was open, but it was too early in the clock. But she played pretty good. Spani did not have the game she had against Carson,but Union was way better defensively than Carson. Those girls hustled and defended pretty well.
Vicki is not back all the way yet, but she showed glimpses of the old Vicki. Good for her after sitting for so long. She made good passes. As the season goes on, and she plays more in the games, it will come to her. Kelly swatted a few, and scored pretty well, when they got her the ball. Neither she or Vicki played much. Pat is really building the bench's confidence, and they are responding. Next up Louisville!
volfaninbuckeyeland writes:
So glad to see these performances by Glory. She has often reminded me of an unbroken mustang who plays with so much energy and passion yet without the self-control and discipline necessary to becoming a key contributor. I believe this young woman has the capacity to ignite a team with her spirit and the potential to become an All-American.
ladivolfan writes:
you gotta love Glory's sense of humor.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Enjoyed the game tonight. I know we are still working on team chemistry but I hope that we develop a great starting lineup without the need for much substituion. I know theres a lot of talent on the team but there is something about a first team playing well together without much subbing that works better. Im not going to mention my pick for first teamers yet as the season is still young but one of my favorites is injured on the bench. Brewer was really blossoming into a real good shooter last year especially in the SEC tourney. I hope she comes back soon shooting that ball. All of our players are looking good and prime to make another run. And that Simmons kid she has some wheels on her. Very exciting to watch. Overall all the pieces are in place and Friday will be a true tests so more to come after friday. GBO
SoddyVol writes:
Pink_: Thanks for the report. Glad to get your good coverage of the game.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Just watched the hilights on facebook. Girls are looking good! Ready for a great season!
LADY VOLS.......TCB.....KOKO.....GBO!!!
orangecountyvols writes:
Max and Pink,
Nice reports. Thanks !
HanQ7 writes:
I totally agree! Glory should be an All-American this year! UT has to many good players to not have a single All-American. In my opinion Johnson, Strickland and Cain should be All-Americans. UT has the pieces to challenge and beat anybody! Legooo Lady Vols and Good Luck!!!!
barnett020 writes:
I go to Union and am a big UT sports fan. It is good to hear compliments from you about our team at Union. We really played well today but UT's size just rattled us a lot but i thought we came out with a "we can win this game" attitude which I was impressed with. Our post player, Chan, is a NAIA All-American in my opinion and has never faced someone has big as Cain but I thought she showed up well. I hope this is a game that can be played every two years or so.. I'm just a little scared to let UT look at Coach Cambell thought knowing Pat's time is probably coming to an end and Coach Cambell is one heck of a coach that has won a lot of Championships and games here at Union. It was a fun game to watch knowing that both teams are probably going to do something special this year.. Go Lady Vols and Lady Bulldogs!!
tonyvick#213307 writes:
Pink, many times instead of reading the article I just scroll down to see if you made a comment. Thanks for your coverage. I love the Lady Vols!
eweteaparty writes:
Vandy destroyed Union tonight 90-61 playing every healthy player on the bench
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