LOS ANGELES — With each shot, the basket got bigger and bigger for Tennessee on Saturday afternoon.
The Lady Vols looked like they were aiming at the Pacific Ocean by halftime against UCLA. No matter who was shooting, they seemingly couldn't miss.
"I wish I could say I was the shooting coach tonight,'' UT associate head coach Holly Warlick said. "It was awesome. It was awesome. It was exciting to see."
The sixth-ranked Lady Vols (7-2) made 18 of their first 20 attempts. They never dipped below 60 percent accuracy in an 85-64 women's basketball victory before a crowd of 2,025 at the John Wooden Center.
The final tally was 69.2 percent — 36-for-52, which threatened the school single-game record of 70.9 set in 1979.
Guard Meighan Simmons, who lugged a 28.9 percent shooting percentage into the game, scored a team-high 18 points, hitting eight of 14 attempts.
Glory Johnson scored 17 on 7-for-9 shooting while Vicki Baugh and Taber Spani had 14 apiece. Shekinna Stricklen bounced back from a stomach ailment to round out the double-figure scoring with 11 points.
Other than Simmons, no Lady Vol missed more than two attempts. Stricklen missed just once (5-for-6) and Alicia Manning made all three of her attempts.
And this wasn't a layup drill, either. While the Lady Vols scored 36 points from close range, they also shot 50 percent from behind the 3-point arc (7-for-14).
"We were taking good shots,'' Warlick said. "We're a very good offensive basketball team when we're taking shots like that.''
UCLA (5-4) had enough shot attempts, thanks to 19 offensive rebounds, but couldn't keep pace with Tennessee's accuracy. Rebekah Gardner gave the Bruins their best shot with her attempts from all points on the floor. The senior guard scored a game-high 24 points.
The Lady Vols set the tone for their day by making their first seven attempts. The baskets were a mixture of layups, 3-pointers and mid-range jumpers.
"I think when we're on, it brings our team together,'' Simmons said. "In the first five to 10 minutes, it got our momentum going."
The ripple effect didn't carry over to Tennessee's defense, at least not as far as guarding Gardner was concerned.
"This young lady is the real deal,'' UCLA coach Cori Close said. "The pros better take a look real fast. Don't miss out on Rebekah Gardner."
UT's rebounding also wasn't up to its usual standards, particularly against the smaller Bruins. Despite often deploying five guards, the Bruins outrebounded Tennessee 31-28 and had a 17-4 edge in second-chance points.
"We don't like those long rebounds,'' Johnson said. "We don't get them most of the time."
Said Simmons: "That's the guards' responsibility."
UT also was hurt by the absence of Stricklen, who played just six minutes in the first half because of a stomach ailment.
"After a while, we started going on a roller coaster,'' Simmons said. "We were going up and down."
Except when they were shooting.
Dan Fleser 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 » 21
SoddyVol writes:
The video from UCLA web site was excellent. The 3rd win on a tough road trip is very pleasing. On a sour note, Lady Vols pitiful poor passing was maddening as I watched the first half. With their hot shooting, they should have been ahead by at least 20 at halftime. Maybe the travel started to get to them in the second half. They let UCLA get to a lot of loose balls and I believe Vols were out rebounded.
xvolx writes:
What can you say? They shot lights out and played defense like they were in the dark. They did make the mistake of playing Burdick and Harrison at the same time. Passing was either really good or really bad. UCLA never heard the gun go off.
orangecountyvols writes:
Soddy and other Vols,
Agree. I could only listen to Mickey so can only say we sounded ragged. The Walker girl was hitting shots as if she was the only one on the court. Yes, it's maddening to hear our girls throwing the ball away but heck, they won and I will not be too proud to come away from a win in the little gym. Sounds like Pauley Pavilion will really be nice when they finish with it.
Now, Stanford is a different breed of cat. The Lady Vols will really have to take care of the ball.
ACWLY writes:
You're right, sometimes their play was questionable but they never quit trying and it ultimately led to a solid win. Yea they are not a well oiled machine yet but you gotta be proud of their effort, players and Coaches!
SoddyVol writes:
My wife says I am too much of a perfectionist. To soften my earlier post, even with the turnovers, I was doing a lot of cheering from my computer chair. To be honest, I was thrilled with Lady Vols play. This team can be great because as long as they keep the good mental attitude they will continue to improve.
VolunteerLifer writes:
Really. Geez, we get a 20 point win on the road, and you'd think by reading these posts that we lost or barely won. I say: Good win, ladies. Proud of you.
la_Madrina writes:
I'll take any win on the road. I would like for defense to improve. UCLA is no slouch of a team, but against the top tier teams, the defense will need to be a whole lot better.
Shooting was really great tonight! I sure hope Simmons keeps up this type of play. It sure was refreshing to see the old Simmons, playing really well, taking better shots. We need her to play like that going into Stanford. I think that game will come down to guard play, where I think Tennessee has the advantage. I give the edge to Stanford with post play, but Tennesse is not far behind!
butch31 writes:
When ur shooting 70% from the field, u won't out-rebound too many people.
I am very excited that Glory & Meighan had great games today, huge boost for their confidence. Isabelle & Cierra had no rebounds today *(LOL)* what are they thinking about *(Christmas)*? LOL I think this was Markel Walker's 2nd game back for Ucla...She was injured earlier in the season, and top recruit a couple of years ago. So this makes it even better for the lady Vols!
I will be at the game tuesday in Palo Alto, CA against Stanford...and can NOT wait. I know maples pavillion has springs in the floor, maybe Glory can get that DUNK lol
ps11824 writes:
I'm happy with the W. They played sloppy again. Good thing they shot well. Better shoot well against Stanford and take care of the ball. Hate losing before Christmas.
Vols68 writes:
3 things to improve on
-Defense
-Rebounding
-Sloppy passes
-Turnovers!
If these ladies want to cut down nets, they HAVE to play with passion and DEFEND!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Congrats LV's.
A win.
On the road.
We'll take it.
SummittsCourt writes:
WOW! as an earlier post stated, after reading these posts you would thought the Lady Vols lost.
But they won by 21 on the road, the third road game in a row with little rest.
Their is way too much criticalness on here, be happy one Tennessee team is playing well and highly ranked.
johnlg00 writes:
Pretty much everybody is happy to get the win, but they also recognize that the LVs aren't going to shoot like that every night and that giving up that many offensive rebounds and turnovers to Stanford will likely result in a loss. A win at Stanford can do the LVs a world of good, but they won't get it unless they can tighten up those aspects of the game, the same ones that have plagued them for, gosh, years now. Those two things are THE reasons why this current crop of LVs, except for Vicki Baugh, haven't been to a Final Four.
wigmeister writes:
At least one major sport is showing some life. You go girls!!!!
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Wow what a battle it will be between Nkeka/Glory and Chiney/Baugh. I think our length and speed will prevail with Simmons blazing up the court. I we shot well , contain the O sisters and play good defense around the perimeter we win. Keep those O sisters off the boards and guard Nkeka around the perimeter.
GLV!
Scout: I have UK in a upset tonight , Baylor beats Con
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Happy with the win and shots falling. Still need to work on areas that others have stated. Take care of Stanford next! GLV!! Time for 9!!
pammyvol1000 writes:
Way to go Lady Vols!! Keep it up!
I wonder if the game will re-play this week on TV??
Stanford will be more challenging but if all the seniors step up, we can do it!
martic#220796 writes:
Did anyone notice the exchange between PAT and LYSSI BREWER? THEY BARELY ACKNOWLEDGED EACH OTHER!!!
volboy81 writes:
Does anyone else get the final score for the Lady Vols texted to them from ESPN? They texted the wrong score! Guess I need to unsubscribe...thats not the first time they have done that...Apparently its too much to ask for the media to actually do their homework and get something accurate!!
VOLtage writes:
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/...
crossvoll writes:
I noticed that, too. Maybe they'd already spoken earlier.
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