Tennessee convened a gathering of five double-figure scorers Sunday afternoon and Angie Bjorklund wasn’t among them.
The senior women’s basketball sharpshooter shouldn’t stew over being left out. Instead, she ought to be relieved over the prospects of more help.
Led by Shekinna Stricklen’s 18 points, No. 4 Tennessee overwhelmed Arizona State 80-64 before a crowd of 12,229 at Thompson-Boling Arena. Glory Johnson had 14 points, along with a game-high 15 rebounds. Taber Spani and Kamiko Williams each scored 12 and Meighan Simmons had 10 as the Lady Vols (4-0) tore through a defense that had been allowing 46.5 points per game on average.
Despite a depleted post presence, the Lady Vols managed to score half of their points from the foul-lane area. And they didn’t pad their output with 3-pointers, making just three of 13 attempts.
Bjorklund, UT’s leading returning scorer, missed her four 3-point attempts and shot 2-for-7 in scoring four points. No matter, her teammates had the scoring essentials covered.
“That’s a great asset to have on a team,’’ Williams said of UT’s scoring balance, “because last year we looked to Angie all the time and expected her to score when we needed it. We don’t have to go to one person. We can run sets for different people and eventually that will open up shots for Angie because she doesn’t have to work as hard.”
The Lady Vols apparently did enough on defense to satisfy coach Pat Summitt. She was in a better mood than after Thursday game’s against Virginia, when the Cavaliers made their first eight shots. UT held Arizona State (2-1) without a point for a span of 8 minutes, 41 seconds heading into halftime, opening a 33-18 lead in the process.
With Johnson manning the front of a zone press, UT coaxed nine turnovers out of the Sun Devils during the scoreless stretch.
“I just think about Friday’s practice,’’ Stricklen said. “It was just ‘You’re going to play defense, or they’re going to take you out.’ I think that’s what we carried over into the game.”
Summitt acknowledged, of all people, Williams. The sophomore guard contributed two steals to the aforementioned pivotal stretch.
“Kamiko has been able to play longer minutes,’’ Summitt said. “As a freshman, she had been in two minutes and we’d pull her. Now, even with fatigue, she can push through it and help us even when she’s tired.”
The second half played out like a different game. The Lady Vols were whistled for 13 fouls and the Sun Devils took advantage by converting 16 of 19 free-throw attempts and scoring 46 points. UT answered with 47, shooting 57.6 percent from the floor against a team that normally limits the opposition to 32.7 percent accuracy.
“I was just very disappointed in our defense,’’ Arizona State coach Charli Turner Thorne said. “We’re not a team that is a score-more team.”
Summitt, on the other hand, was satisfied with the work of UT’s smaller lineup, whose players were looking up to Arizona State’s taller post players.
The Lady Vols might have to make the strategy work for the time being. Forward Vicki Baugh, who has mobility issues, sat out a third straight game. Center Kelley Cain didn’t play in the second half because of stiffness. Fellow post Alyssia Brewer still is recovering from Achilles tendon surgery.
The 6-foot-3 Johnson scored 13 of her points in the second half — all from either close range or the foul line. Lady Vol Alicia Manning chipped in four points and grabbed all six of her rebounds after the break. The 6-1 forward outmaneuvered 6-5 defender Becca Tobin to score one of her baskets.
The Lady Vols could’ve done more scoring damage if they had shot better than 53.6 percent (15-for-28) from the foul line.
“We will be shooting a lot (today); they have to get in extra shots,’’ Summitt said. “There’s no excuse. We’ve got Pratt Pavilion. We’ve got Thompson-Boling Arena.”
The shooting will be part of today’s practice. The Lady Vols depart Tuesday for the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Comments » 15
SoddyVol writes:
Great to see several players have a good game. Not the entire 40 minutes, but they looked awesome on and off both on offense and defense. Just keep improving ladies. This can be a truly great year.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
The defense was really good tonight. Offense wasn't bad either. I thought in the first half, they got gun happy and jacked too many jumpers. They settled down and got back to business. Kelly still needs to get more touches when she is in. Stricklen was really aggressive tonight! I like when she plays that way. Glory was a beast on the boards,and she made some good shots tonight. She didn't force it! Meighan forced it tonight! As time goes on, she will settle down. She seemed to get down on herself because she did not let her game come to her, and fouled out. She is very aggressive on defense, but she will need to learn how to be aggressive without fouling. Simmons had some great drives to the basket.
Angie did not score much, but I thought she still had a decent game. She is a target to most defenses,so the others really stepped up tonight. I think each game, a different player, and sometimes the same, will step up. Tonight was Stricklen's and Glory's night. The supporting cast was also really good. Very good effort tonight on both ends of the court.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Please work on free throws! Still missing too many free throws. Those free points can come in handy at the end of games. Going 15-28! That is 13 free points! That is a double figure score! Nothing a little practice can't fix!
OldVols68 writes:
Hate to see Vickie Baugh not get to play. Know that does not have much to do with the Vols beating Arizona State, but just the thought of ASU starting 3 6'5" players on the front line was a scary thought. Fortunately not all 6'5" players are THAT good.... But yeah I think someone better learn to shoot free throws.
On the bright side Glory did play a lot better today...that is what she is capable of when she does not go willy-nilly at the basket every time. Still on the bright side we beat a quality team almost by 20 points in spite of poor shooting at times. They do have a ways to go to get Meighan Simmons to not get down on herself when things don't go as planned....I am licking my chops awaiting Brewer's return: that would make them a real threat to anyone, including the Huskies.
ps11824 writes:
Megan reminds me so much in that she wants to be in on every play. She wants to go full speed ahead. She thinks she can go right thru the defense, and she believes she is key to the game. I like her and I think Pat likes her. She will get her under control, but she will not fault her for her drive and her spirit.
I guess my Thanksgiving comment is, we are so blessed to have a full compliment of pretty good players. We are still slightly gimpy, BUT when we get healthy, it's gonna be fun time.
What I want as a fan is to see better ball security. I feel like they will settle into the rotations and that should help eliminate some turnovers.
It was fun to see them methodically take out the big ASU girls by clamping down some pretty stingy D. Glory was a mean machine today. Our gals were taking a beating out there. They are pretty tough. I can really relate to Strick somewhat in respect of what she must endure with her asthma. Give the kid credit, she is a gamer.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Wow! Our players have a pretty good game and this is all the congrats they can get! There have got to be more lady vols fans out there. I know there is because I see you when they have not so good games, and you come out and criticize, at least come and congratulate the young ladies on a good game tonight.
freestyle writes:
Pink, You are right about the fans. I am so proud of their performance today. It's one thing I don't understand. Maybe you or 98reax will convey your opinion. Why is Cain playing defense near the free throw line instead of staying under the basket? This is one reason Arizona St. was able to get to the post and score. She wasn't back there to defend.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Very good point freestyle, as well as 98's and Pinks. I will ask Pat. Was already going to ask her why Cain always feels like she has to put it on the floor instead of putting it up and in. She actually did it one time, but only one time. However, I would NEVER tell her how to coach! She always answers by questions honestly.
I will tell you this, she is extremely excited about Cain, Johnson, and Simmons, as well as most of the other players. She knows the talent is there to win it all, just has to get them to play like it and more consistent. GBO!
tonyvick#213307 writes:
Pink, I was thinking the same thing about Angie today that even though she didn't shoot well she had a pretty good game otherwise, that never happens with her. Glory the reason Pat is on you so hard is because there is no other WBB player that can match what you do. Most of us are just spectators and we can clearly see how awsome you can be. Even the commentator's always acknowledge you are the best athlete on the floor and that each night you should get a double-double. I agree! I keep seeing comments about "when we get all healthy..." Teams get healthy during the off season it rarely happens while in season so until Brewer comes back consistantly to help our post, I believe Cain and Baugh will be limited the entire season. GO Ladies!!
ps11824 writes:
I did hear Pat say in one of her interviews, that they (coaching staff) had agreed to pull Cain out away from the basket in order to create more options for her. I wondered what those options might be, but after thinking about it and looking at some other post play, it does clear out by pulling the D out some, leaving a lane for a quick driving guard, or a player, like Glory, Spani or Manning, for instance, to take a hand-off or bounce pass and lay it in for 2.
At times I've seen it work well. The Lady Vols, however, have had some problems with turning the rock over in the attempt. It really takes some ball control and quickness or it turns out looking like disaster.
Glory looked much better yesterday with her pulling up, but she's so fast, she becomes foul prone. Another thing about Glory, if she would get up in the air to recieve passes instead of letting them sail through her fingers as she stands flat-footed, it would certainly cut down on some turnovers, which make guards look really bad, especially Williams and Megan.
Yesterday, it sounded like Pat's main concern was that oftentimes there was not 4 players going for the rebounds. I saw that too and it was making me crazy.
All these things are fixable and Pat seems to be aware of them and she trusts her staff to take care of that. I do too.
martinvol34 writes:
Please work on your negative attitude.
Jephry writes:
The girls are coming along nicely. Great game, ladies! Keep practicing, keep listening and keep winning!!!
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Please work on your comprehension skills!
Rockytop38 writes:
Did the Lady Vols play 1 exhibition game or two. I thought they were 5-0?
Rockytop38 writes:
Just answered my own question. 4-0 through ASU
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