AUBURN, Ala. — Glory Johnson spoke for her Tennessee teammates Sunday about what suffices for a good walk.
“The only walking we want to do,’’ the senior forward said, “is from class to class.”
Pat Summitt had something a little longer in mind at halftime of the Lady Vols’ SEC women’s basketball opener against Auburn. Tennessee’s head coach was thinking state to state.
“If we don’t get it together, then we’re walking home,’’ said Johnson, recalling the gist of Summitt’s threat. “That’s a long walk.”
The Lady Vols saved their legs by salvaging the outcome, converting a shaky two-point halftime lead into a 73-52 victory before a crowd of 4,269 at Auburn Arena.
Meighan Simmons led four double-figure scorers with 20 points for No. 7 Tennessee (9-3, 1-0 SEC), which won its 34th consecutive game in conference play. Shekinna Stricklen scored 17 points and Glory Johnson had 14 and a game-high 13 rebounds. Alicia Manning added 10 points.
Camille Glymph scored a game-high 21 points for Auburn (8-6, 0-1), hitting five of the Tigers’ seven 3-pointers. The Tigers, who trailed 31-29 at halftime, still were lurking within seven points, 53-46, with 7:59 left. But they finished with more turnovers (25) than baskets (19).
The Lady Vols played the part of defending conference champions primarily on the boards and at the free-throw line.
“They’re big,’’ Stricklen said. “That’s what really won the game for us.”
The Lady Vols pulled down 26 offensive rebounds and converted them into 30 second-chance points.
“They are very hard to box out,’’ Auburn coach Nell Fortner said. “They are a tremendous offensive rebounding team and we paid the price tonight.”
The Lady Vols shot a season-best 90.3 percent on free throws, converting 28 of 31 attempts. The performance was a vast improvement over their 70.4 percent season accuracy.
“It’s just showing we were mentally focused,’’ Stricklen said.
The Lady Vols’ other attempts weren’t as accurate. Their 32.3 percent shooting from the field (21 for 65) was their second-worst of the season, as was their 18.8 percent on 3-pointers (3 for 16).
They were struggling against the same sort of sticky zone defense that Virginia had used in pulling off its 69-64 upset of UT on Nov. 20. The similarity was no coincidence. The Tigers had watched the video of that game.
“I thought it was a great defense,’’ Fortner said. “That’s one of our defenses, so it’s not hard to do that.”
Tennessee’s defense, on the other hand, wasn’t always as effective in stopping penetration, which set up Auburn’s shooters.
“We should have been forcing them left a lot more than we were,’’ Johnson said. “If I’m a player and they’re not stopping me from going right, then I’m going to keep going right. They definitely used their strength to their advantage, and that’s something we should have cut off. We cut it off a little bit more in the second half, but it’s something we should have been doing the whole game.”
They did it enough to leave with a victory, and not go home on foot.
Down Goes Warlick: Tennessee associate head coach Holly Warlick, who lost her footing this fall and suffered a fractured left pinkie, fell while walking off the court at halftime Sunday but wasn’t injured.
“Thank God I didn’t break something,’’ she said.
Dan Fleser may be reached at 865-342-6288. Follow him at http://twitter.com/FleserKNS and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/fleser.
Dan Proctor draws Tennessee Football…
Cordarrelle Patterson drafted by the…
Justin Hunter's time at UT
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 34
BolivrBob writes:
We won. I'm glad. Auburn is now 8-6...aka terrible
butch31 writes:
Good the Lady Vols are proving the critics, haters and nay sayers wrong! We won on the road at a very good Auburn squad, without 3rd leading scorer. How many SEC teams can do that? N O N E!
Glory Johnson, once again is my player of the game 14 points *(no touches from the guards)* and 13 rebounds. Glad Meighan is getting it together, but 5 turnovers is too much. I am still waiting for Cierra Burdick, to have that Chamique Holdsclaw breakout. Would have love to see Briana out there *(Coach she is a senior)* and deserved some minutes.
BxVol writes:
I love the Lady Vols,but that being said they have a long way to go if they are going to the Final 4 or cutting down nets to end the season.First half stats from memory were 3 assists and 10 turnovers! Auburn, like too many other times I have watched, hit wide open 3`s.The final score is very decieving.We seem to play too often in spurts, getting a lead and then relaxing.The great teams put the hammer down and don`t let up.I still think we have a shot to win it all, but we have to play 40 minutes.The Notre Dame game will show us alot.
Vol72 writes:
CSS is terrible. The announcers kept saying the wrong names, wrong graphics were up, the jokes were stupid and overall call of the game was terrible. Anyways, this was an ugly win. I wish they will let the women play like the men and quit calling every little touch foul. There was no offensive flow for either team. Fouls were call on both sides. Overall great team effort! We struggled with our shooting, but the defense was better than the Stanford game. The Lady Vols got a lot improvement to do if they want to get to the Final Four. I wish they would quit settling for jumpshots and take the ball to the basket. Use your length and size and pound the ball inside! Auburn had no inside presence. We have to keep improving because some tough games are coming up with Georgia, Arkansas, and Kentucky. All three are very athletic teams. Kentucky's defense aggrevates you. I think UT should sign a Post and a quick athletic guard from the JC ranks that can shoot and play lock up defense. We will need it badly next year after these seniors leave.
movol53 writes:
I've been a Lady Vol fan since before most of you were born; I'm very concerned about teams playing zone against us. When they do it seems we cannot hit the ocean from a boat. We will not win many games shooting below 30%. We have already had 2 - 3 games this year where we shot like we did today in the first half. I'm also concerned that we don't seem to have that "killer" drive. Seems like they just want to do enough to win but not any more. Look back over the last three years and review what our seniors have done come March. We've been knocked out early. We've got a looooooong way to go. I hope this team can fit the pieces together. Oh, and what about Baugh? She should be the game changer.
Vol72 writes:
Actually the SEC is much better than last year. With a suprising team in South Carolina. What they did to North Carolina was a shock. Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and LSU, are all NCAA Tourney teams. Most of the SEC did great in out of conference play. I think the SEC will get at least 6 into the NCAA Tourney.
jt45 writes:
Ugly first half, but they came through in the second and returned to form. Giving up open 3s seems to be an Achilles' heel for this squad. The half court press in the second half was very effective against Auburn in IMO changed the course of the game. Good job by the coaches and players to regain control and set the pace for the win, Congrats Ladies.
BolivrBob writes:
Yeh, they looked pretty good in the loss to the 5-6 Red Foxes of Marist
voloffaith writes:
That was two years ago......You a Steeley Dan fan cos 'Reelin in the years' must be playing over and over in yo head.....jeepers Wally move on. Yes,this team has a looooong way to go even make sweet sixteen based on current performances. Baugh's numbers were 'Turrible' thanks mister Barkley. Toughness is a question right now. If we have Spani,the better,truer outside shooter of the three things will be better. Meighan and Shekkina are sreak shooters and less reliable. So yes beat a team with our best outside threat injured. Need her back asap to make teams play us straight up and not always pack it in. Yes Virginia beat us and she got hurt in that game. Like I said earlier in my rambling......loooong way to go.
volsgirl writes:
Way to go LADIES....GBO
SummittsCourt writes:
Vol72 you are right and good points.
However, UT is still the class of the league. I'm glad the SEC is better this year as it will help prepare the Lady Vols for the tournament.
ps11824 writes:
The Lady Vols' 32.3 percent shooting from the field (21 for 65) was their second-worst of the season, as was their 18.8 percent on 3-pointers (3 for 16). Glaring reason we are gonna get a royal spanking sooner than later.
We gotta get better and stop this sloppy stuff. No way we repeat in SEC flailing around the way we are. I thought they would be playing their tails off for Pat right now. Boy, was I wrong.
oldvoltimer62 writes:
Way to go ladies stay focused and keep setting the nets on Fire!! GBO!
wigmeister writes:
This team must get better quick. They need to get a killer instinct which they do not have. If you are up by four, you want to be up by eight. If you are up by ten, you want to be up by 15. If you are up by twenty, well you get the idea. You must go for the jugular all game long. No letup. Play hard all game long, especially on D, no letup. This is the only way they will get where they want to go! If the coaches cannot instill this drive in every player on the team, there is a problem. If they get tired, substitute someone that will do it until they are rested enough to give everything they have.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
I wish they all played with the toughness and confidence of Glory. Vicki where did your confidence go we can tell you are timid. Strick it's like you wait and wait and then turn it on. Please turn it on at the 1st tip-off or I am afraid you will wait too late.
frblalack writes:
Well done, Lady Vols. Strick, Glory, & Alicia are the backbone of this team...how they go so go the Lady Vols. I was very proud of the second half effort! Ms Simmons appears to be growing up before our eyes. No one can argue her potential. Once we have Spani & Baugh at full speed, we can beat anybody! Ms' Ariel, Isabelle, and Cierra paint a BRIGHT ORANGE future!
Awesome Lady Vols! All Vols - All the Time - VFL
BamaVol writes:
WTG Lady Vols
butch31 writes:
Marist is good...they beat Auburn for a reason. A lot of their losses have come to good teams. I don't a problem with Auburn losing at Marist!!!
richvol writes:
Where was Baugh? She couldn't score 10 points against a poor team like Auburn? This team has three players...Strick,Glory and Manning. The rest are underachieving.
voloffaith writes:
I owe you a 'Reelin in the Years' apology......I went back to Lady Vols loss to I thought Marist couple of years ago. Maybe Ball State. Either way you were referencing recent game and I was wrong as I did not know that the aubie ladies had just played them. So I humbly sit self corrected thanks to a later poster pointing out the recent game with them.
ps11824 writes:
[[[ When the players reconvened on Monday night, Baugh said that the players talked about accepting "the brutal facts." Baugh conceded that her play fit the description and she told her teammates: "It won't happen again." ]]]
Way back when (5 whole days ago) Baugh made the vow NOT TO BE A NO-SHOW again. She failed to add (in the year 2011) Dadgummit, Vickie, what;s up with that? So soon you forget. You promised Pat, the team and the fans. Well, you gotta do better. So far, you have not played to your potential. Neither have many Lady Vols.
This was gonna be the year to cut down nets..What's up with that goal? I don't see anything so far that even holds my interest. That is a huge statement coming from a fan since.. I don't even recall; since pre-Thompson Boling Arena I have been a believer that the Lady Vols could be the National Champions. If you don't work toward that goal, and you are not, you won't even dance this year.
The days of handing Tennessee a spot in the bracket is long gone. Teams have to earn those spots now. There's too many capable teams right here in the conference waiting to knock Tennessee out.
You may say those SEC teams are not that good. Well, witness yesterday's 32% shooting with a kazillion turnovers, veterans playing the no-show and allowing another unranked team to hang around for 2/3 of the game. Opponents don't even have to be that good to play well enough to send the lethargic, inconsistent and "look-at-me,- I'm the best" Lady Vols to the bus with tail between legs.
Now, that is harsh and critical, but unfortunately, it is true. If I had the opportunity I would tell them so in person. It would not mean phooey to them, but it would make me feel better for a moment. I suppose that's why I chose to get it in print right here and now.
If anyone wants to bring it up after we go undefeated and crowned National Champs 2012, feel free to do so.
johnlg00 writes:
Dang, 98! That is about the toughest post I have ever seen from you. Yes, the gals coulda/shoulda whacked the Tigers from the outset. They could stand to be more consistent throughout the game. The thing is, the LVs will always get an opponent's best shot, since beating them would make almost any team's whole season. This is the same team that shot over 65% against UCLA; some nights the ball goes in the basket and some nights it doesn't. At least they were lively on the offensive boards and accurate from the FT line.
I'm a great believer in every player bringing her best effort and execution every possession, but at least I realize that that is an IDEAL, something to be striven for but not to be attained often if at all. For the most part, championships are won by the team that gets it together best at the right time, not necessarily the "best" team all year. The LVs are no worse off in their pursuit of Pat's 9th championship than they have been all year. If one player is down, like Vicky tonight, or out, like Spani, someone else usually picks them up. "Gloom and doom" doesn't become you; you are the most reliable ray of sunshine on this board. Don't let us down now(;-P)!
switcher76 writes:
Not a pretty game. Kentucky will walk all over the LV's if they don't get it together! They need to stop picking and choosing when they are going to play ball. Final four...I don't think so. I love the Vols but they are not a championship team. Please please please prove me wrong!
DroopyDrawers writes:
You left out Spani.
stumpyb writes:
It not always how you start but how you finish. This team will NOT be cutting down the nets this year or for some years to come due to parity in the women's game. Tenn and Conn had their time and runs and now it's Baylor's time. We need to stop being selfish and self centered and wish everybody else some success. Our time will roll around again but for now be Thankful for what we already have and Thankful for others are achieving. In Tenn country we have been spoiled.
itsgolden writes:
Defense is still a problem for this team, especially for Simmons and Stricklen. As the saying goes, "hands down, man down". Has anyone noticed how often Stricklen is caught with her hands down on defense and getting torched with the 3 from players five inches shorter? The commentators mentioned Auburn's Glymph scoring a total of 24 pts in her last five games. Well, the Lady Vols made sure she made up for that by allowing her 21 pts (5 3 pointers). For most of the game either Simmons or Stricklen guarded her. Shouldn't the coaches see what's not working in a game and try something different? There were also several times where players didn't switch on defense. There were times when Auburn inserted a 5'1" guard, where i thought Brianna should have been allowed to play. Bri doesn't have much size, but she's as quick as any player on the floor. A good SEC team would have beat the Lady Vols yesterday. And if they continue to play 5 plus minutes spans without a basket, a not so good SEC team will beat them.
WCBB_FAN writes:
The way Baugh played in the game yesterday, you would have thought she was a first time fragile freshman. The coaches have been preaching to these girls for the last 4 years and it's going in one ear and coming out the other. THEY JUST DON'T LISTEN. Get real folks. This is not championship calibur team. No. 9 is clear it won't be this year.
Mama_Also_Calls_Me_Precious writes:
Or how about that impressive loss Auburn had to FIU, that's right FIU. Auburn is probably the worst team in the SEC, well maybe Ole Miss is worse..
Mama_Also_Calls_Me_Precious writes:
I blame the assistants for not adjusting to the other teams offense, especially how well other teams are shoting from the 3 against the lady vols. I think Warlick is in charge of the defense. If CPS is going to delegate the coaching to other assistants, then they need to step it up big time. Even though the girl from Stanford was an AA, she should have never been allowed to score 42. They never once tried to double team the girl.
Mama_Also_Calls_Me_Precious writes:
I never have been a big fan of Manning, but I think with her in the lineup the rebounding is better and they have less turnovers. She is also a good passer. However, she is a liability on the offense. She misses wide open jump shots consistently.
crossvoll writes:
It wasn't a perfect game, but I thought it was a nice win, there were some pretty good stats from several of the players. With everybody healthy, I see no reason why this team can't make it all the way. They may not compare to some of the earlier teams in some ways, but I still think we have a very good team and they haven't peaked yet by any means. Go Lady Vols!!!
SoddyVol writes:
Ky will have to play better than their Fla game to beat the Vols. I watched the Ky-Fla game and neither team really impressed me all that much. However, you can bet either one will play better when they meet the Vols. Teams used to fear the Vols. Now they just really want to beat them.
ps11824 writes:
Gosh, johnlg, didn't notice that whiny rascal snuck in here and forged a post while I was writhing in pain... ( :
Things always look better when the sun is shining thru the icecicles.
KennyGVolsFan writes:
Haha!! Like the little tidbit on Warlick falling. I noticed a coach fall but didn't know who it was. How do the coaches expect the players to play when their coaches can't even walk without falling.
Lady Vols looked much better in the second half.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.