PISCATAWAY, N.J. — As Skekinna Stricklen limped off the floor with 34 seconds to play, she provided an appropriate metaphor for Tennessee's 67-61 victory over Rutgers at the Louis Brown Athletic Center on Tuesday night.
The game was a struggle. And even in the best of times for UT, the outcome never seemed certain.
The sixth-ranked Lady Vols (6-2) blew an early 13-point advantage and frittered away more than half of a 10-point lead in the final three minutes before securing their most impressive road victory of the young season.
Three consecutive 3-pointers — two by Meighan Simmons and one by Taber Spani — finally turned the game Tennessee's way down the stretch. But the game wouldn't have been in reach if not for Stricklen.
She rose above her teammates' errant first-half shooting and filled a variety of roles throughout the game against the No. 11 Scarlet Knights.
"We put a lot of responsibility on her," associate head coach Holly Warlick said. "We don't want her to be just an All-American on paper. We want her to prove it every night."
Stricklen, who had game-high totals of 22 points and nine rebounds against Rutgers (9-2), is doing just that. And she's doing it against the best teams.
In UT's five games against nationally ranked teams, Stricklen is averaging 18.8 points and 8.8 rebounds. Unlike in her first three seasons, when she occasionally drifted out of games, she has been a consistent factor.
Her presence was never more necessary than in the first half when the rest of the Lady Vols made only three of 17 field-goal tries. Stricklen compensated by making six of 12 shots and two of four 3-pointers as UT managed a five-point halftime lead.
Stricklen's contributions extended beyond her stat line, just as they did in last Sunday's 84-61 victory over 20th-ranked DePaul. Not only was she more of a rebounding force than either Glory Johnson or Vicki Baugh, she again helped stabilize the point-guard position in the absence of injured freshman Ariel Massengale.
UT started Simmons at the point for the second consecutive game. Also, for the second consecutive game, it didn't hesitate to replace her with Stricklen when the offense faltered.
While Simmons' 2-for-9 first-half shooting factored in UT losing a 13-point lead, both she and Stricklen looked more comfortable at the position than they did against DePaul.
"I thought they did an outstanding job," Warlick said. "They handled Rutgers' press."
Scoring, rebounding and playmaking were more than a full night's work for Stricklen, who played all but a few seconds of the game. But she also came up with three steals and took a turn — as did almost everyone else — trying to guard Rutgers' April Sykes, who scored a game-high 27 points.
All those roles and all those minutes took a toll. Stricklen was in pain when she limped off the court with a cramp in her left calf.
But she already had lasted too long for Rutgers.
"I would have fought through the pain (if the game had lasted longer)," Stricklen said. "I'm kind of hardheaded.
"It's just cramps. I'll be all right."
So might her team if Stricklen keeps playing this way.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj//twitter.com/johnadamskns.
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Comments » 6
DroopyDrawers writes:
Stricklen play great. However, the shots made by
Simmons and shot by Spani was huge. I was glad to hear Dearstone make Stricken the player of the game. She certainly derserve it. Go Lady Vols!!
wigmeister writes:
Just like with Holdsclaw, and Parker, the greats just keep delivering. She is elevating to that position. Hope it continues and results in the big wins we are looking for!
8thmaximdotcom writes:
Stricklen is a beast.
richvol writes:
The only reason that Simmons played a little better against Rutgers than against DePaul is she was not pressured bringing the ball up the court last night. DePaul caused Simmons so much misery that Stricklen had to take over the point and had to do it again last night even though Rutgers did not force the issue. Simmons cannot handle the ball under pressure and makes very poor choices when passing the ball. She had ONE,ONE assist last night...what does that tell you. And when is someone going to teach Baugh how to play post.
Thank GOD we have Stricklen.
tovolny writes:
I wonder if Adams watched the game. Several other girls made some key shots and plays. John trys but never hits it squarely. Kind of reminds me of a singer who never quite hits the right key and leaves out the main chorus.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Personally, I was shocked that Rutgers didn't press the LVs any more than they did. Anybody who has watched this team all season knows they haven't handled pressure well, especially with Massengale out. The LVs almost helped Rutgers get their usual number of forced turnovers with their stupid post passes and the refusal of the post players to just GO UP STRONG WITH THE BALL! All of them seemed to want to show off their ball-handling skills--of which they have none--rather than just taking the shots they had in the first place. And indeed, thank God for Stricklen! Games like this are the reason she was picked preseason SEC Player of the Year. Let's hope that if she does happen to nod off during a game, as she has done so many times in the past, someone will step up in her place. Last night at least, she was the best all-around player in women's basketball.
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