Arkansas couldn't make a shot in its first meeting with Tennessee.
The Razorbacks summoned their best shot for the rematch Thursday night and scored a dramatic breakthrough victory at the Lady Vols' expense.
A pair of free throws by Lyndsay Harris with 6.2 seconds left in overtime turned out to be the difference in a 72-71 SEC women's basketball victory before a stunned crowd of 13,337 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The victory was the first for the Razorbacks (21-6, 10-5 SEC) in Knoxville and their first over UT since 1996. The achievement was magnified by their 69-38 loss at home to Tennessee on Jan. 8, during which the Razorbacks made just 10 field goals and shot an unsightly 18.2 percent from the floor.
No. 10 Tennessee (20-8, 11-4), meanwhile, suffered a third home loss in a season for the first time in program history.
"The credit goes to the players,'' Arkansas coach Tom Collen said. "They're the ones who prepared. They're the ones who believed in themselves."
Harris scored a game high 20 points. Sarah Watkins added 18. Guard C'eira Ricketts stuffed her stat line with 16 points, nine assists and eight turnovers.
The anguish fell to Tennessee's players afterward. The loss, coupled with Kentucky's 53-50 victory over South Carolina, dropped UT into second place in the conference standings with just Sunday's home game against Florida remaining.
Arkansas wins at Tennessee for the first time in school history
A distraught Shekinna Stricklen literally had to be picked up off the court by teammate Kamiko Williams. Fellow senior Vicki Baugh walked Stricklen off the court.
Despite scoring a team-high 17 points, Stricklen missed four free throws in overtime, including two attempts with 10 seconds left that could've given Tennessee the lead.
"I honestly wanted the ball at the end,'' Stricklen said. "You just have to step up. I didn't make the free throws at the end."
Even a free throw that went in was a source of disappointment. Freshman Ariel Massengale tried to miss her final attempt with three seconds left and Tennessee trailing by two points. Instead of creating a rebound chance, her shot went in and UT essentially had no chance thereafter.
"I was trying to shoot it off to the right so Glory (Johnson) could get it and put it back in,'' Massengale said.
As much as the ending hurt, the Lady Vols' pointed to the game's beginning as their downfall. Johnson described UT's first-half play as "awful."
Johnson and Stricklen, Tennessee's two top scorers, had zero points at the break. Johnson was limited to eight first-half minutes by foul trouble.
Scoring wasn't a problem for Arkansas. Harris got them started with 11 of her points and three of the Razorbacks eight 3 pointers in the first half, enabling them to open a 31-26 lead.
"It definitely helped that we came out scoring early and got our confidence up,'' Harris said.
It helped even more that Arkansas was scoring from long range. Tennessee couldn't sit back in a zone defense as it had the majority of the past three games.
While the Lady Vols used multiple alignments to help force 21 Arkansas turnovers, they also opened up driving lanes for Ricketts with their strategy and the senior guard took advantage.
"We've always believed with the ball in her hands something good is going to happen,'' Collen said.
With the ball in her hands, Arkansas came back from a four-point deficit in the final 1 minute, five seconds of regulation. Her driving basket cut the deficit to two. Then after a UT miss, Ricketts pushed the ball up the court and threaded a pass through scrambling Lady Vols defenders to Watkins for a tying layup with eight seconds left.
"We've preached defense and defending penetration,'' UT associate head coach Holly Warlick said, "and we just can't get it right."
Dan Fleser may be reached at 865-342-6288. Follow him at http://twitter.com/FleserKNS and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/fleser.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 58
gerryblack writes:
The choir is demanding a new preacher next year. I'm sure Holly is a wonderful person and her loyalty to U.T. should be admired but she is definitely not head coaching material. Bye Holly ride off into the wind.
volnsc writes:
I just have to question why Spani was getting so much PT. She is not in shape, can't defend off the dribble, commits to the shot way prematurely, and caused several turnovers. No criticism of either Strickland or Johnson. They are Lady Vol basketball right now. Simmons had her head covered much of the game. Bless her heart, when she is bad, she is really bad.
CrankE writes:
Uninspired play, uninspired fans on their butts until the last minute of regulation, uninspired coaches in their chairs.
It's time.
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
Disappointing. It's hard to fathom why this team has the chemistry problems it clearly has.
Still, we ARE capable. Here's hoping the tourney(s) bring that out.
jt45 writes:
No leader on the court = No win
Shekinna Stricklen should have stepped up and didn't for over half the game.
You would think by now the slew of coaches on the sidelines would know by now that Spani cant defend. Kamiko and Cierra should be starters.
Same mistakes by the same players =L
Same mistakes by the same assistant coach =L
Another First by an unranked team in TBA.
This is getting to be the norm since Holly took over.
tombo7 writes:
Last night in back-to-back televised games, we had the opportunity to watch a legendary coach in the twilight of her career and another one who is a legend in the making, Nikki Caldwell. Let's hope that our AD was able to compare the in-game coaching skills of Caldwell and Holly Warlick.
AlpharettaVol writes:
I think we need to stop complaining and just come to the realization that this team just doesn't have it. Whether it's the coaching or the players attitude or their lack of quickness or their inability to step up at crunch time, we need to accept the fact that this is probably the worst season that any of us can remember. That's a real shame since it looks like this is going to be CPS's last season.
I will join the others who think Nikki Caldwell is the lady for the job. She has the pedigree and I heard her speak at a Big Orange Caravan event a few years back. She is very, very impressive and would make a great head coach to carry on in the Pat Summit tradition.
CrankE writes:
Kelly Jolly Harper is another excellent choice.
GreerVol22 writes:
Pat's not too involved these days and it obvious. She used to rip girls heads off for stupid and lazy play. Sad to see so many "firsts" with this team.
orangesherbert writes:
I was hoping the ladies would play for Pat with a since of urgency and desire.They are obviously not responding to Holly Warlick.Pat's illness seems to be more of a factor than at first glance.I hate to see this team sliding like they are in what I believe will be Pat's last season.
volboy81 writes:
this class just keeps on rolling up the dubious distinctions. You can tell Coach Summitt isnt herself....we'd have 2, maybe 3 losses if she was. Very disappointing season!
springtx_vol writes:
The second paragraph above sums everything up. I am so sorry that CPS has the health issues that have come upon her. My grandmother had dementia (or probably Alzheimer's, no real diagnosis back then) for the last 10 years or so of her life. She remembered things from 50 years earlier better than she remembered things that happened 10 minutes earlier. It is a devastating health condition.
But, my grandmother wasn't trying to coach basketball, or run a corporation, or even raise kids at that point in her life. It was everything the entire family could do to make sure she had the right medications at the right time and could function at the minimum level to survive.
No, the loss wasn't CPS fault. I don't believe most coaches, including Steve Spurrier, who take the blame for the losses and give the credit to the players for the wins. It sounds great and is motivating so some extent. But the overall attitude of this team is the coaches fault. You only have to look as far as the men's team to see the impact of coaching.
CPS needs to retire at the of the season. She needs to make the announcement now as a motivating emphasis for the team. I believe this team has the talent to go to the Final Four. I don't know if they have the motivation, just like last years men's team.
underthehill writes:
I would think Holly should see this as her opportunity to step up and show she is capable of making rational coaching decisions..such as knowing who needs to be on the floor during games..I think she is doing just the opposite..how she can have Spani and Massengale on the floor at the same time with their obvious lack of speed is puzzling..and Spani playing ahead of Burdick..plain stupid..
switcher76 writes:
We know these girls can play...we seen it when they played Kentucky. Where is that team? You can't just not try because you have a Tennessee jersey on. The wins aren't just going to fall in your lap. All the good players anymore are spread out to other team and it's not all about Tennessee anymore and that's something these girls apparently don't understand. I think Holly would be a good coach if she got to run the team the way she wanted to. I'm sure it's hard for her having to still do what Pat says when Pat clearly doesn't look or act well. Holly has alot of control with the team don't get me wrong but not total control and maybe that's confusing for the girls too. But, most of them have been there long enough they should know what to do by now and how to get the job done. I'm afraid that the SEC Championship isn't going to happen and they will be lucky to make it out the first round of the NCAA tournament. This is probably going to be the first team now to get out in the first round TWICE in four years. I love the Lady Vols but someone needs to put some fire under these girls. GBO
RLL59 writes:
Was this game really a surprise? The only surprise is the number of posters here that believe all the Lady Vol recruits over the past 5 years are to blame for the results...and somehow expect next year to be different. The Lady Vol coaching philosophy and strategy are no longer relevant even though the recruiting classes continue to be rated near the top. Parity isn't a fact. Ask Geno! The top schools, including TN, continue to get the best players, and the other schools pick from what's left. The Lady Vols can continue in that top group, but time is running short to make the changes needed to keep the best players coming here. Looking at the current, and obviously future disarray, and the fact that most Lady Vols regress as their careers proceed, would you be especially interested in having your daughter come here?
volman2008 writes:
as long as spani,simmons,are on the court,tn will turn it over,simmons bounced two off her foot,two by sloppy play,spani,two by sloppy play no rebounds by either one,sit them on the beanch.
jdcdjc writes:
This in my opinion is mostly on Strickland's sholders. She is supposed to be our go-to player and can't even hit her free throws down the stretch. Strickland and Johnson neither showed up the first half. this team is a disgrace to Pat and her coaches are letting her down also. They won't get past the first round in the NCAA.
jdcdjc writes:
I vote for Nikki!!
jdcdjc writes:
You need to watch the whole game, Johnson and Strickland didn't even show up the 1st half. and Strickland blew it down the stretch!!!
geraldodell#1377039 writes:
Too slow defensively to stop opponents from driving to the basket. Missed FT's cost us another one. Too many turnovers created by players not watching the ball into their hands. Masengill is not the point guard everyone was expecting-she cant guard a stationary chair. No help on defense. Dont box out on the boards. I could go on and on but it boils down to lack of heart. The start of the game was like so many others--we are no shows. Last but not least Arkansas wanted it more than we did.
silvertr6 writes:
Uninspired, pathetic Lady Vol team. The future coach is not on the bench presently.
cgbtn writes:
I have not seen this mentioned as a factor in us being such a bad team. But, I have never seen a team (women's or men's) where not one player can catch a ball. We are turning the ball over 20 times a game, and I would bet 15 of them is because someone simply could not catch a pass or a rebound. Other teams don't have to play good defense against this team. Just stand back and let them pass them ball. Other teams, of course, must guard Simmons, because she's not going to pass the ball.
rbromley7#241642 writes:
Another name to add to the pot as a potential candidate for coaching the LV would be Carolyn Peck.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Never been so disappointed in a lady Vol team as this one. I'll still be there for you girls in Nashville. VFL.....
jt45 writes:
The irony in all this is Holly will be the next coach unless the fans and especially the media dont wake up and see whats happening. Local media in particular local radio continues to put total responsibility for the losses on the players. I suppose they are taking the safe route in their talk shows. What I dont understand is why isn't this team running sharp plays like ND or working on better passing, Talent just doesn't cut it alone and getting beat by teams with less talent that are just outcoaching Holly should be proof enough of that. I hope for the sake of the LVs future that Holly does NOT become the head coach.
The only way I see this program getting back to where it was is if a coach with the passion and knowledge for the game like Caldwell or another top tier coach who can recruit well comes here otherwise the LVs wont be a factor in women's basketball much longer .
Pat could have gotten to 1100 wins this season
if the team had really wanted that.... guess not, the senior's should have to sit after last night.
KennyGVolsFan writes:
I don't understand why they continue to allow Warlick to coach. Her player substitution do not make sense to me! I would have liked to see more of Bass and Williams. We stayed in a man defense even when they were dribble driving and hitting the three of the screens.
I believe we look much better in the zone. The players tend to communicate much better than when they are in the man.
Spani should not be starting. The only thing she offers this team is her three point shooting ability. As many other have stated, she does not appear to be in playing shape, is slow on the defensive end. Her contribution was 4 turnovers and 7 points. She had no rebounds. She isn't that hustle player. I believe that Burdick should start over her and get more minutes. She is a better pass and has a better 15 ft jump shot than Spani and can guard down low better.
I thought Simmons defense has gotten much better. She doesn't pass well and makes poor decisions.
Johnson and Stricklen make this team. It's time for these other players to step up and contribut. I hate to say this but we will be lucky to make it past the first round in the NCAA.
This game was lost on layups, turnovers and lack of heart. I thought we shot well from the FT considering... A game should never come down to FT, especially when you have 9 High School All Americans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This coaching staff better get it together! I want Pat on the floor coaching and Holly in the damn locker room doing their laundry!!
SummerfieldVol writes:
This is one of the worst free throw shooting teams in the SEC, probably in the nation. I blame the coaches for not improving this problem and the players for not wanting to get better. If you want to get better you work hard on it and put alot of effort into what you want to improve. Alot of ball games are won and lost at the free throw line. In our case this one was lost. This team better get their act together or they will have a quick exit from the SEC tournment and the NCAA. They play like they don't care if they win or lose. Not alot of desire showned by this team.
stevefrommemphis writes:
I just want to know why this debacle was occupying valuable TV time instead of the playoff bound Nashville Predators vs St Louis Blues.
RLL59 writes:
Actually, the Lady Vols are 3rd in the SEC in free throw percentage. I agree that it is frustrating when you see the same poor technique by the same players game after game. It's also tough to lose a game at the end because of missed free throw attempts. One wonders whether they shoot them effectively at practice.
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
You blame the players , they got more coaches ,trainers ,physical therapist than got players .The time outs confusing ,PLAYERS GETTING ADVICE FROM 25 DIFFERENT PEOPLE .
Allenfan writes:
I was able to see the game on tv. I was also at the Ole Miss game on Sunday. We are not blaming Pat but I can clearly see that even when we win we always have to hang on at the end. We may be the poorest coached team in the SEC. You play back a recording of their comments after each game. The girls were flat, they aren't invested, they give into fatigue. The bottom line is, when Pat were healthy, you saw your best girls on the bench when they were not giving 100%. The refs were blasted everytime down court so we got a number of the questionable calls. What she has done for women's basketball will never be equaled. It is very sad, as a long time Vol fan to say it, but it's time. I will be in Nashville to support them, but I think the end of our season is near unless Holly steps up to the plate and acts like a acting head coach.
arkyvol writes:
the summitt era was wonderful, but its over. if not for her illness, i have no doubt she would have eclipsed wooden's record. that is not to be. the trick is to make sure that her legacy is not diminished by lesser coaches. i don't want the lady vols to disappear the way u.c.l.a. did after wooden hung it up.
SummerfieldVol writes:
My point exactly, I would like to watch a practice and see where the emphasis is. I would bet a penny would get you a dollar, they put the majority of time on defense. Their technique is bad, it is probably what they learned to do in Jr or Senior Hi. Some of the players do not shoot free throw any better now, than they did last year. A good coach will pick up on this and beat you in the last five minute of the game, because they know you can not shoot free throws, in a tournment this is extremely important. The reason I said the last five minutes, is when you watch a game, that is when the game is usually won or lost.
oldbasshead writes:
I don't think anyone thought the Lady Vols season would have the number of losses or flat performances we have experienced. Everybody's is wondering what's wrong and so do I. However, this group of players have played like this since they have been at UT. We all hoped this year would be different or that at least Coach Summit's illness would serve as an extra incentive, but it hasn't. Why? I have a theory that two things are holding the players back. First - lack of real leadership focus. Who is in charge? From watching the games on TV, it appears to me that Pat is not in charge, Holly is, but not really because she is not the head coach. When there is no real captain of the ship, people are likely to gravitate toward the person they feel most comfortable with thus we get split loyalties among the players and coaches which lead to division.
The second issue is that these players came to UT to play for Pat Summit. Yet, there has to be negative emotions associated with seeing Coach Summit taking such a limited role. I would guess that they want her to get in their face and coach them up like she has always done,but that is not happening and it has created a group of girls who's confidence and focus, expectations and dreams have been effected. It has been a good season, it just has had more firsts and lows than we had imagined would become reality. My hat is off to Coach Summit. She is and has been a wonderful leader and coach at UT and I wish her all the best.
oldbasshead writes:
It is hard to sail the ship when the captain is still sailing the ship. You need your own ship and Holly doesn't have one.
budd#207344 writes:
Questions
1. Who was coaching this team when they beat the phooey out of KY and GA at home?
2. How many NC and final four appearances does this coaching staff have.
3. How many final four appearances do these seniors have?
The coaches cannot play the game. When your two best players have ZERO points in the first half against a team they beat by 31 the last time they played, it aint the coaching. And Pat's issues have nothing to do with it. These seniors were underachievers for the entire four years they have been here. When they decide to play they can be world beaters. When they decide to lay down they lose to Ball State and get embarrassed at ND.
KennyGVolsFan writes:
I disagree Bud!!! Our players wanted revenge vs Kentucky!!!
Are you not watching the player substitutions? Are you not watching our defensive sets?
At one point in the game, Holly changed her mind on a defensive set and had a player come back. This was after a timeout!
I personally believe this would be a different team if (with respect) Pat Summitt would get off the bench and coach these girls. I find it odd that she continues to sit on the bench, while not providing any feedback to her coaching staff or team. It's like the AD said she could stay but you can't coach! There seems to be some type of restriction on her. I have never seen her just sit there and take a beating!! Something just isn't adding up to me. How does the best coach in the world sit on the sidelines with no facial expressions while we get the phooey beat out of us?
totoiv writes:
At this point I would start all Seniors and see if their pride will take over. The last few years when Strickland ran the team she was an all-american. Now that she's playing the post she disappear's in to many games. I thought I saw the logic of playing the freshmen and sophmores early in the season as I think the UT Coaches would like to be more athletic and faster up the court. I think they feel this is the only way to compete with UConn and Baylor. But, by trying to play this way our turnover ratio is way out of control. In some games we have over 20 turnovers. Lets start all Seniors.
FanInNevada writes:
A lot of speculation about the next coach. Does anyone think there is any connection between Nell Fortner's resignation and a possible job for her in Tennessee? Even as a "place holder" until someone else can "free themselves up"? Just a thought.
budd#207344 writes:
The only thing I can go on are facts. I am not in the huddle or at practice or on the bench as games are played.
These coaches have been together in different groups for over 30 years. They have won. These seniors have been on under performing teams for the past four years. Was Pat's illness the reason they have not gotten to a final four in FOUR years(the only sr class to accomplish this)? They have lost to poor teams in the last four tourneys. Yet the staff has been able to take EVERY other group of seniors to at least one final four. So I see that as the players not the coaches. Until Holly or Pat comes out and says "Its us" the available facts say players
woodcutter writes:
Unfortunately asst coaches cannot take the place of a head coach. If Pat isn't breathing fire and ripping them up, the team doesn't respond. We need a head coach who can direct the team. I hope Pat doesn't try to stay on another year. The recruiting has also suffered, and they may have to go to JC or walk-ons to field a team next year!
hueypilot writes:
Everybody remembers Ray Perkins and Gene Bartow for succeeding and ultimately being fired or resigning after trying to replace Bear Bryant, and John Wooden. But who remembers Phil Bengston, Jim Dooley, Billy Kinard? They tried to fill the shoes vacated by Lombardi, Halas and Vaught. Serious UT fans know Harvey Robinson lasted two years after Neyland. Most football fans never heard of Harvey Robinson. Point is replacing a legend is never easy. For every Roy Williams taking over for Dean Smith, there are dozens of Ralph Houks trying to replace Casey Stengel.
We are in for some hard times in women's basketball I fear. Since the consolidation of the two AD's this will be Hart's job (not Joan Kronan's) to name a coach , correct? Surely with UT's status in women's basketball, there would be a lot of interest, but just as surely, following a legend is not a good spot for a coach.
jt45 writes:
I bout spit coffee all over my desk over that one !
Some badly needed humor after last nights game...thanks !
Southland writes:
I hope Hockey never becomes a priority in the south. It ticks me off when time is taken up on talk radio and sports tv by it
vettefool writes:
I thought I would wait a day to post my so called thoughts on lady vols.
they are early 20 yr old ladys who probably have many other interest other than basketball. unfortunate I guess, but only the best players really put bb at the front of their thoughts.
Holly is not my selection to take over from coach PS., but she is in a difficult position, almost a no win position. I feel for her. my thought she should retire after this year along with the other coaches and the numerous others who sit on the bench during the game. we need to clean house.
no, Spani should not be starting or even getting many minutes. she is so limited on defense and only contributes with outside shooting on offense whens she is open and hitting. not her fault completely on her mobility. if our training staff was top notch she would have improved over her time here. she is like the two post players who left before this year, overweight and out of shape.
I guess we cannot dominate woman's basketball in the future. Conn. will be in the same position at some point, even though their recruiting is on top now. there are so many very good woman players now there are going to be many excellent teams.
I agree in the previous post of their starting lineup. it is too bad that we cannot control Simmons shot selection because her quickness is evident.
our point guard must be able to play better defense and knock down some, I mean some, shots.
Theo writes:
What a frickin moron. Our recruiting is great.. get a clue we have a top three class coming in next year. I doubt we'll be using walk-ons. Stupid.
volcraze writes:
Uninspiring and average play by the Lady Vols. They just dont seem to have the passion for the game of basketball that we are all used to. Unless they wake up, I see a disappointing end to this season.
Volinflan writes:
Theo, since you chose to be so vitriolic I will reply. You need to check your math (if you can). Five Lady Vols will be playing their last game in Knoxville on Sunday. Three girls have singed to come in next year. Already with a short roster of eleven now, it will be even shorter next year with just nine. How many of those may decide to go somewhere else like Brewer and Avant just did.
DeMoss already indicated they were trying to sign some Jucos. Maybe with this season turning into the debacle it is, any good Juco may not want to come to Knoxville. I mean would you?
Additionally, don't incoming freshmen that haven't attended the school have the option to going somewhere else if the head coach is not going to be the head coach? I know UT lost a lot of it's football players when Kiffin left (good riddence).
So, if there are any defections with the incoming class or if any of the players there now decide to do something else, walk-ons just wont be that absurd of an idea. I bet people like Faith Dupree and Allysia Brewer that just weren't good enough for Tennessee are going to be laughing their behinds off.
Blaise7 writes:
I suspect the changes in Pat Summitt's behavior are very difficult for the players to adjust to. Fans should remember these girls are 18-22 yrs. old. A hard season for all.
martic#220796 writes:
Let's not forget that it was Strickland that got us back in the game. I know Glory had 2 fouls but they should have put Strick back in in the first half. Courious how starting the seniors Sun. will worh out? Might be a pretty good line-up!
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