FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Tennessee's Shekinna Stricklen enjoyed another happy homecoming Sunday.
The senior forward entertained a large turnout from her hometown of Morrilton, Ark., with a game-high 19 points against Arkansas.
Stricklen's cheering section had a pretty good vantage point, sitting right behind Tennessee's bench. A few feet in front of them, UT coaches were enjoying the prevention more than the points.
Stricklen and the Lady Vols collaborated on their best defensive effort of the season in a 69-38 SEC women's basketball victory. Before a crowd of 5,258 at Bud Walton Arena, No. 6 Tennessee (12-3, 3-0) limited the Razorbacks to 10 field goals and 18.2 percent field goal shooting (10 for 55), a season low by a UT opponent.
Leading scorer C'eira Ricketts, a first-team All-SEC preseason honoree, shot 1 for 11 from the floor and scored only two points.
Lyndsay Harris led Arkansas (11-4, 0-3) with 14 points but the senior guard needed 14 shots for her scoring.
"This is the most we've ever talked on defense,'' Stricklen said. "I thought that helped a lot today. We had each other's back and were rotating right. We were all on the same page."
Stricklen, who shot 8 for 12 from the floor and grabbed eight rebounds, shared center stage afterward with teammate Glory Johnson. Tennessee's other starting forward recorded her fifth consecutive double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. In the process, she grabbed her 1,000th career rebound, becoming the fourth Lady Vol to reach 1,000 for both points and rebounds.
Johnson's sense of history didn't match her penchant for rebounding. Teammate Taber Spani, who missed her fifth straight game to rest her left knee, reminded Johnson of her achievement, which she reached with her fourth rebound.
"I wasn't just aiming for four,'' said Johnson, who joined Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings and Sheila Frost in the 1,000/1,000 club. "I wanted to get as many rebounds as I can."
The Lady Vols applied a similar mind-set to their defense. They could've settled for a good start, during which they held Arkansas scoreless for nearly 6½ minutes at the outset. They weren't satisfied, however. The Razorbacks waited nearly eight minutes for their second basket.
Arkansas coach Tom Collen wasn't surprised by UT's strategy, but he was impressed with the execution. Of the Razorbacks' 55 shots, he estimated that 10 were uncontested.
"They guarded us better and they guarded us with better players,'' Collen said. "They just smothered us."
Johnson did the work of two defenders on an early defensive possession. She started by heading off a drive by the 5-foot-9 Ricketts before recovering to block a short jumper in the lane by 6-3 Sarah Watkins.
"In order for us to keep moving, Glory has to maintain that (effort)'' UT associate head coach Holly Warlick said. "That's asking a lot from her but that's what she does."
Johnson's rebounding led Tennessee's 47-24 advantage. Stricklen's shooting was the high point of the team's 50 percent accuracy from the field (27 for 54).
Stricklen, who scored 26 points here last season, snapped out of a 15-for-47 shooting slump in front of the home folks.
"I know there's a lot of pressure to come home and play but, I don't know, she seems to thrive on playing in this gym,'' Warlick said. "If we could take this gym back home for Shekinna, we would."
The only thing the Lady Vols didn't take care of was the basketball. They committed 20 turnovers. Several were either unforced or ghastly in nature, which doesn't bode well for Thursday's road game against ball-hawking Kentucky.
Said Warlick: "That's one thing in our game we've got to clean up, we've just got to clean up.''
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 » 30
orangecountyvols writes:
Lady Vols,
Way to take care of the business. Glory was a warrior, despite 50% shooting at the line. Also, unforced turnovers are a bit of a red flag.
However, when they had the game in hand, it's hard to keep the keen edge.
Now on to the lady felines and their litter box arena.
butch31 writes:
Nice job Lady Vols, once again u ladies prove all the haters wrong...LOL! Glory Johnson is my favorite for SEC PLAYER OF THE YEAR! I mean she brings it. This was a statement game. Kentucky, Vanderbilt & Notre Dame here we come!!!
Shekinna played much much better today, wonderful energy. Briana was awesome, Alicia was great too. Kamiko was off balanced today, I'm thinking it was too soon to come back. Isabelle & Cierra keep going hard, Ariel is just terrific LOL. Vicki needs to loosen up some, and Meighan has got to take her time and show patience. This team is a legitimate final 4 contender. I am so glad we lost to Virginia, Baylor & Stanford, it didn't kill us, but made us stronger.
ps11824 writes:
butch31 writes:
The common sense thing to do is play Shekinna 28 minutes a game. They have her on the floor to long. Cierra will just have to step up and play the 10-12 minutes in her absence. We have to keep the starting five healthy. I believe Shekinna would have her legs and better productivity if she is rested more. Not too many teams will handle a well rested Shekinna...LOL
UT 78 Arkansas 61 ]]]
You would have thought so, were it not for those 13 turnovers. [Several were unforced and rather ghastly in nature.] The game just got really boring and un-watchable in the second half. I don't know what they were trying to run, but it was really ugly. Unforced turnovers are just really ugly. Kamiko turned it over every way imaginable.
I'm really glad they got the win, however. I really thought Arky looked good against Ky. Today they looked shell-shocked.
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
I agree with Butch on this much...Glory looks like a legitimate contender for Player of the Year honors...and she shows no signs of letting up.
Nice to see Brianna and Kamiko today. For that matter, it was nice to see ALL the ladies today.
Defense and rebounds. For two more months. Feed off it. Get stronger each game. Dan used the right word..."relentless". Every time.
Go get it, ladies. Now is the time and this is definitely the place.
Go Lady Vols!
richvol writes:
UT has got to get control of these turnovers...if not they will cost us games against the really good teams. Arkansas was not a good team. Vicky has got to learn to not put the ball on the floor in the paint. Every time she does it she gets stripped.
Volinflan writes:
Methinks the coaching staff is looking for another guard. Bass played 18 minutes today. Simmons was horrible. She started the game in her usual characteristic manner - Got the ball, ran downcourt ahead of all the other players and chucked up one just over half court. Miss number one. I don't mean to get down on Ms. Simmons but she's going through some serious sophomore problems. They'll need her to win a national championship but they can't win one with the way she has played lately. What was her shot average, about 200?
Of course that was just the offensive end. The team was frighteningly good on defense. Way to go lady Vols - great game!
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
Good points from all of you. I think I remember one of the worst turnovers........it was near mid court. Two players were unguarded, standing side by side. One simply looked at the other and nonchalantly threw it over her head out of bounds. Another one, it might have been Simmons, appeared to just pass it to the Lady Razzorback standing in front of her.
But they were running different people in and out a lot, which seemed to throw the focus off a bit.
Yes, Vicki puts it on the floor in the paint and its a lost possession. But...........Vicki can shoot the free throws, just as Bass can. Glory is awesome out there, even if she has the wild look in her eyes at the line and is 50%.
Once all 11 are ready to go and are on the same page, well..........they'll be tough.
DroopyDrawers writes:
Carolyn Peck dings the Lady Vols every chance she gets. I don't understand it because she has the utmosts respect for Pat Summitt or she does good job of faking it.
Mrlogic writes:
The defense reminded me of the 2008 Lady Vols. I think Johnson has really elavated her game. I really like the way they played except for the turnovers. Ariel Massengale is Ace's all the way. Stricklen looked sharp. Good job.
SummittsCourt writes:
A good SEC road win against a decent team. The same razorbacks played a lot better against the wildcats, so it looks like as long as The Lady Vols play their game they are still the class of the SEC.
Way to go Lady Vols! Enjoyed looking at the scoreboard today 14-0, 23-3, 31-11, 42-18 and so forth. Jumped on the quick and often and never let up.
frblalack writes:
Congratulations Lady Vols!
Glory Johnson - All American!
Thought Strick & Alicia played their usual solid game...Ariel reminds me more of Kara each time she's on the court. We have a final four team!!!
All Vols - All the Time - Go Lady Vols!
VOLunTEAR writes:
Daaaaaaaang!
SoddyVol writes:
You do know Peck is a Vanderbilt graduate and played for Vanderbilt about 1986-1988. Maybe that's the reason, some UT-Vandy rivalry, although she did coach as an assistant under Pat for a couple years.
voloffaith writes:
Not yet my amigo....pieces of the puzzle still being pulled out of the box.....time to see if they all can fit at the right time. Kentucky will give good barometer of where we are....
Roger41 writes:
Great game lady vols. Great defense. This may be a final four team.I think Manning in starting lineup has help this team.Seem to play harder on defense . She is one of the most unselfish players I have ever watched play. She makes other players look good. Kentucky will be a hard game. Continue your great playing.
Vol72 writes:
Great game Lady Vols. Please play with this sense of urgency and energy throughout the year! Kentucky will be a great battle, but if we play with this kind of defense, I think UT will be ok. I think this team should play their 1-2-2 FC pressure and fall back into the 3-2 zone alignment against Kentucky. Kentucky likes to play fast and out of control. I think if you slow the game down and make them take some jumpshots you can beat them. They are not a good shooting team. Beat their pressure, make it a half-court game, and keep Mathies and Gross in check and Lady Vols should be victorious. When Arkansas went to the zone against Kentucky they struggled. Arkansas had to many turnovers that caused them the game. If you space the court against the pressure their will be driving lanes to the rim all game long. UT be fired up because Kentucky wants revenge from that whipping in the SEC Championship game. Play an active zone you will win!
la_Madrina writes:
Great analysis on how to beat Kentucky! I was thinking Zone them as well. They don't have good three point shooters. They like to run and penetrate. Take that away as you stated, and you are looking at a victory. It's the coaches call, and I hope they see what we see. If they try and run with Kentucky, it may be a long night. I hope they don't go to Kentucky's home trying to play Kentucky's game. Kentucky struggles in the half court, Tennessee can play it really well. A good game plan by the coaches, and Tennessee can win that game at Kentucky!
Congrats on the win at Arkansas today!
butch31 writes:
I am really at a loss for words on this, but this games was a lethal combination on our defense and Arkansas horrible shooting day.
It happens *(That was us against Baylor)* it happens LOL. Lady Vols were too psyched up against Baylor, I mean we totally out played Baylor, unfortunately u can win many games with a 29% shooting percentage. I felt bad for Arkansas.
The only reason Baylor got out of Knoxville alive was they made eleven more freethows than us. We did not pass the ball well in that game, and it cost us!!
I am looking forward to these next three games. I want to see where we're at the halfway point of the season.
Glory Johnson is kicking butt and taking names. I would of loved to have trained her this summer. All she needs is to get a jump shot. Glory, has too much untapped potential. Its scary!!!
xvolx writes:
I saw 10 minutes of great basketball by Lady Vols. The last 30 minutes; they were just going thru the motions. Too many unforced turnovers.
wigmeister writes:
Great game! Is it in the rules that we can pay to bring Shekinna's family and friends to every game? I do agree that it would benefit her, especially in a blowout, to give her a little more rest. Just sayin.
ps11824 writes:
Some good comments here. Critiquing my Lady Vols may not be my forte, but I'm sticking with my opinions that we will not win a championship playing lose and reckless with the ball.
If I'm coach today, I'm asking, "Who on this team thinks they are better than this team? Think about that before you answer, then tell me how you think jacking up selfish shots before your teammates get back to rebound, or perhaps be in a position to take the higher percentage shot is the best decision for your TEAM to get better.
How is it that you come to Tennessee as an All-American and turn into a player who disregards the fundamentals of the game by constantly rushing your shots, your passes, and not setting good screens? Are you willing to give 110% effort to rebounding the basketball, finishing your shots, making your free throws and scrambling after EVERY lose ball? What are you willing to do to improve in EVERY aspect of the game starting TODAY, not letting up until the job is done?"
I've heard the men's bball use this spot, 'There is no I in Tennessee...' I saw them play to that against Florida this weekend. They were deliberate in every play. They were smart and seemed to play to their strength without the selfishness. That was so good to see for a change.
I have no idea why a player like Stricklin would throw a stupid over-the-back-pass like she did late in the game yesterday when there was absolutely NO REASON to do so. It resulted in a stupid turnover, and it was so unnecessary. I wish they would like to see the Lady Vols get back to humble, attentive play and use the intelligence they possess in the basketball game. I truly wish they would use an opportunity like they had yesterday with a big lead, to get better. I feel like the coaching staff would like that too.
madrigal writes:
Never seen a team look as pitiful as Arkansas did in the first half. They didn't look a whole lot better in the second. If UT can do that to more teams they'll go far. Carolyn Peck's talking up Arkansas got to be so funny to us that finally the person watching with me said, "Shut UP, Carolyn, it just won't help!" Good job, Lady Vols!
volboy81 writes:
Great game, ladies. Too many turnovers, but its hard to concentrate when your opponent has 11 points at the half!! I didnt notice Peck being too biased toward Arkansas...she loves Pat! Lets go up north Thursday night and claw the stuffing out of the C-A-T-S....now that theyve learned how to spell cat...teach them how to spell VOLS!
johnlg00 writes:
It must be really hard for a commentator to strike just the right note when discussing a team that she has a personal connection to, which also represents her home state. I think she does a really good job of showing respect while maintaining enough objectivity to speak honestly about what she sees. Same thing with Kara Lawson. Nobody can mistake the respect she has for Pat and the LVs but nobody can say that she is a "homer" on the air. Both have insight into the program that few national commentators have, but they never forget that they are broadcasting to a national audience, nor should they.
Volinflan writes:
Speaking of Ace - remember Ace Clements (I think that was her name) - or am I way off base?
johnlg00 writes:
It shames me to say that I didn't even know the game was on TV until well after it was over. Doesn't look like the LVs missed me, though! I guess we will just have to get used to the fact that the LVs as a team just don't handle the ball well. That will probably keep them from winning another championship this year, unless they can cause the other team to throw it away just as much and dominate on defense and on the boards like they did yesterday. You have to go back at least to the "three Meeks" days to remember an LV team that consistently handled the ball well. Oh, well; all teams have weaknesses but all GOOD teams manage to hide them most of the time or use their strengths to cancel them out. Let's just hope the LVs can do that when they really have to, but in the meantime we will continue to cringe from time to time.
johnlg00 writes:
Nope, you remember correctly. Her real first name was Kristin, IIRC. She was probably Exhibit A for those who think the LV program just trains offensive ability out of too many of their all-world recruits. She set the all-time Pennsylvania HS career scoring record, for girls AND boys, but I don't think she was ever in double-figures for a season at UT. She did well in other aspects, however, and she was clearly in UT's all-time top-five in looks, too! I would love to know what she is doing these days.
johnlg00 writes:
It is tough for commentators on a one-sided game. They have to try to hold out some hope that the trailing team has a chance in order to prevent everybody who is not an LV fan from changing the channel. She was probably thinking at, say, the 10-minute mark that Arkansas doesn't have a chance in heck of getting back in it but she can't SAY so.
RLL59 writes:
Bad passing can be caused by lack of ability/concentration or the pressure brought about by strong competition. But it also can be due to not playing together as a unit to the extent necessary to improve. The Lady Vols have so many good players, and a staff struggling to provide each of them playing time, that the same 4 or 5 players do not get adequate time together to know and anticipate their teammates preferences and habits. I hope I'm wrong, but this year looks like the previous few, where progress is determined on a game by game basis, the Lady Vols mop up on weak teams, and little real team consistency or overall improvement is made. Again in 2011, the Lady Vols had the #1 recruiting class, and the three freshmen all are top notch players. But unless something is done to mold the players into a cohesive unit, I'm afraid that individual talent is not going to be enough to make the Final Four.
ps11824 writes:
...and the turnaround jumper, why can't we shoot that shot with accuracy. Every LV seems to think they need to take a dribble, WRONG. Heather Mason would attest to the strength of these athletes. Keep the ball up, turn around and shoot the shot, for pete's sake. Especially Baugh, she is notorious for the ball down before the shot. Turnover 98% of the time. Just take the shot and be the big girl you are.
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