Photo by Saul Young, copyright © 2011
Saul Young/News Sentinel Tennessee's Shekinna Stricklen, right, tries to shoot over Union University's Shelby Ashcraft during the teams' exhibition game Tuesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Lady Vols won, 93-45.
Given a choice between all of her 3-pointers and one steal, Taber Spani didn't dither over her preference.
"The steal, absolutely,'' she said. "The threes are the easy part."
Tennessee's junior guard made the treys Tuesday night as if she was pitching pebbles into the sea, swishing seven as part of her game-high 25 points in the Lady Vols' 93-45 women's basketball exhibition victory over Union University.
Anticipating a first-half pass in front of UT's bench and knifing across the court for the deflection and then the turnover doesn't come so naturally. But she made it look easier before an announced crowd of 11,332 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Along with the points, Spani also shared the team lead in steals with four as the Lady Vols — in their final dress rehearsal before the regular-season opener against Pepperdine on Sunday — demonstrated that they've got a good shot at playing more aggressive defense.
Overall, UT gathered 16 steals and helped force 31 turnovers by Union, which
is ranked No. 2 in NAIA. The resulting mayhem helped create 37 Tennessee points.
"We've put a lot of time into our press,'' said associate head coach Holly Warlick, who again handled the post-game press room session. "It makes us very aggressive. We're an athletic team and we should be very good at it and right now we are very good at it."
Tennessee was good at a lot of things against Union. Along with Spani, who shot 8-for-12 from the floor, three other players scored in double figures. Shekinna Stricklen had 17, Isabelle Harrison 11 and Meighan Simmons 10. Overall, Tennessee shot 55.2 percent from the floor (32-for-58) and 40 percent (8-for-20) on 3-pointers.
Glory Johnson's game-high 10 rebounds led a 39-23 advantage on the boards.
UT barely missed a beat without senior center Vicki Baugh, who missed the game to attend a class.
"We have a game next Tuesday night (vs. Miami) and we didn't want her to miss two weeks in a row,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said. "I thought it was good that other players, actually the team as a whole, stepped up and filled her leadership role."
The Lady Vols were particularly good in the first half. Pressing after virtually every made basket and on inbounds plays, UT helped force 20 of Union's turnovers by halftime and held the Lady Bulldogs to 16 points.
"I was really excited we were only down six rebounds, but then I remembered we didn't shoot very much,'' Union coach Mark Campbell said.
Tennessee's shooting and offensive play reflected the greater presence of point guard Ariel Massengale, who started, played 22 minutes and recorded a game-high six assists.
"She makes a whole lot of difference,'' said Stricklen, who shot 7-for-11 from the floor. "Just her tempo and pushing the ball up (the court), she sees the whole floor very well and she's looking for the open player. She really looks to get us open, and she knows when she can drive. She is a good point guard, a true point guard. That's what we really need and we finally have that."
While Massengale's play contributed to UT's 19 assists, her influence didn't stem the tide of turnovers, which reached 17.
"I think we have a tendency to get a little complacent,'' Warlick said. " We've got to get better at that."
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 » 22
Vols68 writes:
Great game! We did so good considering Vicki didnt play because of an evening class not only her 6'4 athletic presence was missed but most of all her leadership, so Im really proud of this team and the other seniors for stepping up and getting the job done, I know its just an exhibition but its all about having the mentality to do things consistently.. Still had a good defensive effort.. We have to improve on FREE THROWS, and not letting up on the Defensive end. ALSO Its nothing about Ariel Massengale that says freshman point guard! Nuff said! Harrison love her effort, Burdick just love her all around game, and her passing skills..
ps11824 writes:
what's up with Bri Bass? Her stats were goose eggs. She had better get her game going or she could be spending lots of time on the sideline.
SeminaryVol writes:
As a a proud Union alum I can only say . . . ok then.
butch31 writes:
Bri Bass is playing good defense, and being a total team player. I am proud of Taber finding her spot on the floor and lighting up the night *(LOL)* Everyone played very well. I'm impressed, we'll see what happens Sunday against Pepperdine *(which has improved)* dramatically this year.
Millisa writes:
Yay Go Lady Vols!!! :) :) :)
la_Madrina writes:
I thought Bass played within the scheme of things, even though she didn't score. She didn't force shots, but took the open shots. Her defense was pretty good! The team looked really good in this exhibition tonight. The freshmen continue to impress. Izzy Harrison is going to be a special one. Burdick and Ariel looked good. Tennessee has three very talented freshmen.
abnermc writes:
Will the 1st game be televised?
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Yes on sports south.
HanQ7 writes:
I watched a good bit of the game online, and I was very impressed with the frosh. Ariel is going to be the difference maker for this team, she knows what she is doing. Cierra can flat out play and Isabelle is going to be a beast on the interior. I'm excited about what this team can accomplish if they keep it together with such a touch schedule.
On another not, too bad Hollivy didnt sign with UT, I really think Mercedes Russell will come to the Lady Vols and hopefully Becca Greenwell. I think UT will explore the JUCO sceen to fill the post void!
Vols68 writes:
The freshman are playing phenomenal, I know its just Union but we played awesome even in the absense of Baugh! We got 4 more practice days till sunday! Then we got Peperdine.. After them we have a TOUGH game against #7 Miami! And from there the schedule is just tough! With our senior laden squad we will be able to handle it.. We as fans havent always been able to say this but "they now get it" and understand exactly what it takes. If we dont let up on the Defensive end, we're gonna be great
totoiv writes:
While I like the ability of having a different player step up each night, I think in the long run the Lady Vols will need a couple of players to be consistant every game. I think we need double-digit scoring each night from Spani and Strickland. The last two years when Bjorkland was hot the Lady Vols played at a different level with her outside threat. But, Bjorkland injury problems caused her to be inconsistant. She would have 18 one night and 3 the next. We need Spani to step up and be on each game.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
With the recruits next year and 2013 this team will win year end and year out and hopefully a couple of Championships sprinkled in there. And don't say that Pat is done because there is only one coach both men and women who has 700 plus wins, that has coached one year less than Pat. And that's Coach K. I don't see him retiring anytime soon and neither is Pat. I look for her to hit career win 1200 before she calls it quits.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Just looked at some highlights of Baylors exhibition game and they look scary good. We are gonna miss Cain's big presence down low against Griner. Our speed and denying her the ball will be our big chance to win.
ps11824 writes:
"I think we have a tendency to get a little complacent,'' Warlick said. " We've got to get better at that." ]]
Complacency, won"t get it done.
Glad to hear Bass' game was better than her stat sheet. I really want her to be a player this season. Hope she gets the opportunity to prove herself.
We must NOT fear Baylor,(Griner) nor any opponent. Just play the game the way it is being coached.
Orange_Juiced writes:
Yes...Feb 2008 an EF-4 hit campus and hit dormitories with students inside. Many trapped in the rubble for hours...but thankfully no loss of life.
butch31 writes:
Forget the Miami game coach Warlick...Pepperdine is up 1st and they are significantly improved this season. One game at a time. Bass is playing like a senior on a mission...u wont see a lot in the stat sheet, she is playing very well. Coach Summit would not have her on the floor if she wasn't! I want to see Glory, get active in the offense, it appears we're not getting the ball to her enough. Meighan, looked sharp last night, I am loving her using the left hand, so did Ariel. Isabelle and Cierra, will be phenomenal this year! Cierra is SKILLED LOL! It appears they're *(the freshmen)* in January form LOL! They will surprise some folks *(even the coaches)*
Jephry writes:
Some thoughts:
* I know it's "only" Union, but the complacency was a bit glaring.
* I am impressed with the freshmen. Burdick and Massengale have the potential to be all out superstars, and Harrison looks excellent, as well.
* I like the defensive pressure the girls are showing.
* I love how the role players are already looking so good: A-town, Bri, Taber...their confidence is awesome!
* Glory Johnson is trying too hard...once she settles down and lets the game come to her, she'll be the beast we know she can be.
* Does Meighan Simmons know how to do anything other than shoot? She's a loose cannon, and I really hope she stops jacking up shots when no one is prepared to rebound...she is NOT Maya Moore. LOL
* Overall, I am really looking forward to this season.
Go Lady Vols!!!
SeminaryVol writes:
Yes. Feb. 5, 08. I was there that night. Scary stuff.
stumpyb writes:
WATCH NO RECRUITS WILL SIGN WITH TENN EITHER IN THE EARLY OR REGULAR SIGNING PERIODS.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
You don't know recruiting.
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
Very nice comments about the Lady Vols. All very
well thought out.........all except Stumpy Smith
johnlg00 writes:
Wake up, dude! What the heck are you talking about? The men have already signed two in the November early signing period and the women have already signed three. And both might get another one or two in the spring signing period. Come back when you have something to say that makes sense!
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